OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER AND REBUTTAL BY AWLA NIGERIA
The attention of the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) Nigeria has been drawn to yet another publication attributed to a body styling itself “AWLA International,” purporting to suspend the National President of AWLA Nigeria, Mrs. Caroline Ibharuneafe, Esq., and to describe the duly constituted AWLA Nigeria as a “breakaway faction.”
AWLA Nigeria categorically rejects the purported suspension, the characterisation of its leadership as a breakaway faction, and every purported directive contained in the said publication.
For the avoidance of doubt, AWLA Nigeria states as follows:
- AWLA Nigeria has never been a chapter, branch, subsidiary or constituent part of any organisation styling itself “AWLA International.” Any contrary representation is false and is hereby expressly rejected.
- AWLA Nigeria is a duly established and legally registered organisation in its own right. Its existence and legal personality do not derive from, and are not subject to the authority of, the UNREGISTERED “AWLA International” now attempting to claim supervisory jurisdiction over it.
- AWLA Nigeria does not answer to any purported parent organisation within Africa. It maintains cordial relationships and sisterly affiliations with African Women Lawyers Association in other African countries. Such relationships do not create a parent-subsidiary relationship or confer supervisory jurisdiction on any external body.
- Mrs. Caroline Ibharuneafe, Esq. is the duly elected President of AWLA Nigeria. She was not appointed to the office by the UNREGISTERED purported “AWLA International,” nor does she hold her mandate at its pleasure. Consequently, a body to which she does not belong and which has no constitutional, statutory or legal jurisdiction over AWLA Nigeria cannot purport to suspend her from an office to which she was duly elected.
- The continued description of AWLA Nigeria as a “breakaway faction” is rejected as a deliberate mischaracterisation of the identity and history of a legally existing organisation. One cannot “break away” from an organisation of which one was never constitutionally or legally a chapter.
- AWLA Nigeria is particularly concerned by what appears to be an incessant campaign of media publications by the UNREGISTERED “AWLA International,” apparently aimed at manufacturing visibility, attracting public attention and creating the false impression of authority through repetition in the media. Publicity does not create jurisdiction. Repetition does not create legal personality. Media publications do not confer constitutional authority.
- The general public, the Nigerian Bar Association, its branches, African Bar, International Bar Association, government institutions, professional organisations, development partners and other stakeholders are therefore advised to disregard, in their entirety, any purported suspension, directive, resolution or publication issued by this rogue body insofar as it purports to exercise authority over AWLA Nigeria or its duly elected officers.
- AWLA Nigeria further calls upon the publishers and sponsors of these publications to cease forthwith from misrepresenting the constitutional and legal relationship between AWLA Nigeria and their organisation, and to desist from creating confusion within the legal profession and the wider public.
- In particular, the said group is hereby placed on notice that Mrs. Caroline Ibharuneafe, Esq. is the duly elected National President of AWLA Nigeria and is not subject to the disciplinary jurisdiction of a body of which she is not a member, and which is not a legal entity and has no legal or constitutional authority over AWLA Nigeria.
- The UNREGISTERED “AWLA International” is hereby warned to immediately desist from further mentioning, referring to, representing, alluding to, or otherwise associating Mrs. Caroline Ibharuneafe, Esq. with its purported disciplinary proceedings, resolutions or sanctions. Any further unauthorised publication or reference concerning her will be treated with the seriousness it deserves and may attract appropriate legal action without further notice.
AWLA Nigeria remains focused on its mandate of advancing women’s rights, children’s rights, access to justice, professional excellence, legal advocacy and the protection of vulnerable persons. We will not be distracted by what appears to be an orchestrated campaign of media attention.
Those seeking recognition should earn it through lawful existence, legitimate governance and demonstrable service, not manufactured authority through press releases.
The public is therefore urged to disregard the purported suspension and all similar publications issued by the UNREGISTERED “AWLA International” concerning AWLA Nigeria or its leadership.
AWLA Nigeria remains AWLA Nigeria.
Signed:
Dr. Grace Chigala Ajaegbo, Esq., PhD
Public Relations Officer (PRO)
African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) Nigeria
Cc:
NBA
All NBA Branches
Trustees of AWLA Nigeria
Past Presidents of AWLA Nigeria
International Bar Association (IBA)
African Bar Association (AFBAR)
