Court Directs CAC to Register New Association for Lawyers in Nigeria
A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to register a new association for lawyers in the country.
Justice Gladys Olotu issued the judgment in response to a lawsuit filed by lawyers, including Bolaji Ayorinde, Mela Nunge, Garba Gajam, Emeka Ichoku, Chioma Ferguson, and Tejumola Adigun.
They took legal action against the CAC for its refusal to register their association as a legitimate body of legal practitioners in Nigeria.
The plaintiffs argued that the proposed names for registration, such as “Nigerian Law Society,” “Nigerian Bar Society,” “Nigerian Lawyers’ Society,” and “Association of Legal Practitioners of Nigeria,” were distinct from that of the Nigerian Bar Association and would not mislead the public.
Justice Olotu, ruling in favor of the plaintiffs, emphasized that their right to peaceful assembly and association, as guaranteed under Section 40 of the Constitution, Article 10 of the ACHPR, and Article 20 of the UDHR, encompasses the type of association they intend to register.
