Abia State will host more than 2,000 delegates, featuring prominent legal minds such as former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and the Attorney-General of the Federation Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, for the upcoming 2026 Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) Annual Conference.
Running from November 9 to November 13 at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia, the high-profile summit aims to draw judges, legal practitioners, policymakers, civil society actors, academics, and international development partners.
What details have been released regarding the event?
Addressing a press briefing at the Ministry of Justice in Umuahia, the Abia State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Sir Ikechukwu Uwanna, confirmed that the state government is fully prepared to host the delegates successfully. He announced that Governor Alex Otti will formally open the conference, providing attendees a firsthand look at ongoing reforms within the state's justice and correctional frameworks.
Uwanna challenged the leadership of NBA-SPIDEL to move beyond theoretical debates and ensure the conference yields actionable policy recommendations designed to enhance the judicial framework and better the lives of citizens.
How do organizers view the upcoming summit?
Echoing similar sentiments, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Sir Paul Ogubunka, alongside NBA-SPIDEL Chairperson Prof. Uju Agomoh, emphasized that the event serves as a crucial forum for legal professionals to advance democratic governance, safeguard fundamental human rights, and drive societal progress through adherence to the rule of law.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Sir Ejike Ezenwa, SAN, joined by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters, Mrs. Nkolika Ubani, and Media Subcommittee Chairman Mr. Obiefule Chikezie, outlined that the itinerary includes pre-conference activities, specialized professional capacity-building workshops, and rigorous technical discussions.
The leadership committee praised the current administration under Governor Otti for its continuous investment in the state's legal infrastructure, expressing confidence that the national convention will significantly boost jurisprudence and judicial administration across Abia State.