A prominent legal expert, Timothy Olatokunbo Tugbiyele, has expressed his discontent with the NBA Over the honorary status granted to certain newly admitted lawyers during the recent Nigeria Bar Association conference held in Enugu state.
In a circulating video, Tugbiyele voiced his concerns regarding the manner in which junior legal professionals, who found success in other sectors beyond law, were being ‘honored’ and afforded special privileges.
Without naming individuals, the attorney stated;
‘’Esteemed justices, judges, honorable benchers, SANS, senior colleagues, and fellow practitioners. Although I did not attend the Nigerian Bar Association conference, I have been staying informed. I noticed some posts indicating that very junior lawyers, some with less than a year post-call, were being granted special recognition at events during the conference.
Having been involved in the legal field for over 45 years, I know the profession does not operate this way. I am Timothy Olatokunbo Tugbiyele. In this field, climbing to the top is a matter of contributing diligently to the profession. Achievements outside of law do not entitle one to supersede the positions held by seasoned professionals in our field.
We need to address this issue. It greatly disappoints me to see junior lawyers who have thrived in other areas being bestowed with honorary titles. Some have succeeded in politics, entertainment, and acting… I would feel disheartened if I were seated in the back, perspiring, while an actor with merely three or four years at the bar was sitting in front of esteemed Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Benchers, and life benchers.
This is not the way our profession should operate.
What transpired in Enugu must not recur. One must enter the profession and pay their dues.”
Additionally, another attorney, Yomi Ogunlola, echoed the sentiments of the Senior legal practitioner. He remarked;
‘’NBA Conference!
Upon seeing Deji Adeyanju seated in the front row and the role assigned to him at the NBA Conference 2025, I felt something was off as well! Recently, it was Dino, with barely 60 days post-call, receiving an award for “his contributions to the legal profession”.
This is unfortunate; very unfortunate! This Agbero mentality is infiltrating everything we once treasured!
There is certainly something amiss within the profession, indeed!”