Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A fresh controversy has erupted ahead of the Nigerian Bar Association national elections, tagged #NBADecides2026, following allegations by former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, that the Managing Director of the election service provider was abducted by persons suspected to be operatives of the Department of State Services. Odinkalu made the allegation on Thursday, July 16, 2026, in a series of posts on X, claiming that the Managing Director of the company providing election services for the NBA was intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos while travelling to Abuja.
According to Odinkalu, the action was orchestrated by individuals sympathetic to a particular candidate in the NBA election. "At the instigation of elements sympathetic to a certain candidate of particular concern, persons suspected to be agents of Department of State Services have reportedly abducted the Managing Director of the Service Provider for the Nigerian Bar Association in #NBADecides2026 at the MMIA airport in Lagos on his way to Abuja," Odinkalu wrote. He further alleged that the officials "also reportedly confiscated his laptop & phones & presently have him in their custody".
Odinkalu also questioned what he described as a contradiction in the alleged role of the DSS in the election process. According to him, the security agency had earlier reportedly communicated in writing that its personnel would be present to observe the voting process and ballot tabulation during the NBA election. "This is even more impressive because the same DSS had reportedly confirmed in writing that they were going to be present to observe the mechanics of voting & ballot tabulation in #NBADecides2026," he wrote. "It is difficult to see how they can both disable ballot administration & observe balloting all at the same time".
The human rights advocate alleged that the objective of the reported action was to undermine the electoral process. "The design, clearly, is to frustrate #NBADecides2026 & bring about #ManuMilitari what the courts have told them they cannot do," he stated. Odinkalu further alleged that those behind the reported development were deploying institutions allegedly controlled by the ruling All Progressives Congress while accusing other candidates of having political affiliations. "The same people using All Progressives Congress controlled methods & institutions are busy claiming other candidates are fronts for the APC. Someone pls make it make sense," he wrote.
The allegation comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the NBA elections, which are scheduled to hold on July 18, 2026. Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the Nigerian Bar Association strongly rejected a purported directive allegedly issued by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, seeking to postpone the association's 2026 national officers' election, insisting that only its National Executive Council has the constitutional authority to do so. In a statement signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, the NBA described the alleged directive as unconstitutional, ultra vires and an attempt to subject the association to the control of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The association said it became aware of a document purportedly containing the report of a three-man committee and comments attributed to the AGF, recommending the dissolution of the Electoral Committee of the NBA, the postponement of the 2026 national officers' election, the termination of the current election service provider, and the appointment of a caretaker committee. The NBA has consistently maintained that only its National Executive Council has the authority to make such decisions, and that the election will proceed as scheduled.
Odinkalu's allegations have further intensified the already charged atmosphere surrounding the NBA elections, which have been marked by controversy in recent weeks. The human rights lawyer had earlier raised concerns about attempts to manipulate the electoral process, alleging that certain vested interests were trying to ensure that one candidate runs unopposed. He had also criticised an ex parte court order which he described as a "blatantly corrupt" attempt to predetermine the outcome of the 2026 NBA elections.
The DSS has yet to issue an official response to Odinkalu's allegations. The security agency has previously been involved in NBA election processes, with Odinkalu noting that it had reportedly confirmed in writing that its personnel would be present to observe the voting process and ballot tabulation. The contradiction between the agency's alleged role as an observer and the reported abduction of the service provider's Managing Director has raised serious questions about the integrity of the electoral process.
As the NBA election draws closer, the controversy surrounding the alleged abduction of the service provider's Managing Director is likely to dominate discussions among legal practitioners. The Electoral Committee of the NBA has previously confirmed that the 2026 national elections will hold on July 18, despite a fake suspension notice that circulated earlier. However, Odinkalu's allegations have cast a shadow over the credibility of the process, with many lawyers expressing concern over the reported involvement of security agencies in the electoral dispute.
The Nigerian Bar Association has not yet issued a statement on the specific allegation of the abduction of the service provider's Managing Director. However, the association has consistently defended the independence of its electoral process and rejected any external interference. The NBA had earlier described the alleged directive from the Attorney General as unconstitutional and an attempt to subject the association to external control.
Odinkalu's allegations highlight the growing tension between the legal profession and security agencies in Nigeria, particularly concerning the conduct of internal elections within professional bodies. The human rights lawyer has been a vocal critic of what he describes as the increasing militarisation of Nigerian institutions and the use of state security agencies to influence political and professional processes. His latest allegations are likely to fuel further debate about the role of the DSS in internal elections and the independence of professional associations in Nigeria.
As the NBA election approaches, the legal community will be watching closely to see how the allegations unfold and whether they will have any impact on the conduct of the election. The reported abduction of the service provider's Managing Director, if confirmed, would represent a significant escalation in the tensions surrounding the NBA elections and could undermine confidence in the electoral process. For now, the NBA has insisted that the election will proceed as scheduled, but the controversy surrounding the alleged abduction is likely to continue to generate debate and concern among legal practitioners across the country.
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