UMUAHIA, NIGERIA — The eastern legal landscape is bracing for a tectonic shift. In a high-octane ceremony inside the Ministry of Justice Conference Hall in Umuahia, the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) officially inaugurated its Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the upcoming 2026 Annual Conference.
The stage is set for a massive legal invasion: over 2,000 legal practitioners from across the 36 states and the FCT are scheduled to converge on the Abia State capital.
“To practise in the public interest is to recognize that the law must ultimately serve humanity and the common good.”
— Associate Prof. Uju Agomoh, Chair, NBA-SPIDEL
Delivering a fiery, uncompromising charge, SPIDEL Chairman Associate Professor Uju Agomoh declared that the 2026 theme—“In Public Interest: Advancing Justice, Democracy and Development”—is not a mere slogan or a academic badge, but an urgent, non-negotiable call to arms for the Nigerian Bar.
“Whose interests does the law serve?” Agomoh challenged the room, reminding the legal elite that the profession’s unique privilege carries a heavy debt to the ordinary citizen struggling against systemic decay, delay, and institutional overreach.
THE 3-PILLAR CHARGE FOR UMUAHIA 2026
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ JUSTICE ► Dismantling systemic barriers & reform │
│ DEMOCRACY ► Defense against polarization & impunity │
│ DEVELOPMENT► Rights-based, community-first progress │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Key Highlights from the Inauguration
- Gov. Alex Otti’s Full Backing: Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna SAN, confirmed that Governor Alex Otti, OFR, has granted full state approval to host the national conference.
- Judicial Overhaul in Abia: Beyond erecting 17 brand-new court buildings across the state, Governor Otti is set to sign historic legal instruments into law—including amendments to the Criminal Law, Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), and a Restorative Justice Law.
- Measurable Legacy Demand: Prof. Agomoh warned against producing “papers that disappear into conference folders,” demanding concrete policy reforms, detention center interventions, and strategic litigation initiatives.
- The Oath of Allegiance: Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary Mr. Paul Ogubunka accepted the charge on behalf of the newly sworn-in LOC, pledging a smooth execution for the national event.
Key Conference Stakeholders & Mobilizers
| Stakeholder / Official | Role / Representation | Key Mandate |
| Associate Prof. Uju Agomoh | Chair, NBA-SPIDEL | Mobilizing public interest advocacy and setting conference vision. |
| Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna SAN | Attorney-General & Justice Commissioner | Showcasing Abia State’s justice sector reforms under Gov. Otti. |
| Sir Ejike Ezenwa | Chair, 2026 Conference Planning Committee | Coordinating nationwide turnout and program execution. |
| Mr. Paul Ogubunka | Solicitor-General & LOC Representative | Managing state logistics, security, protocol, and hospitality. |
| Prof. Paul Ananaba | Member, Legal Aid Strategy Committee | Driving strategic litigation and legal aid integration. |
| Mr. Bamidele Ibikunle | Director-General Rep, Legal Aid Council | Expanding access to legal representation for vulnerable groups. |
A Battle Cry for the Next Generation
Agomoh urged the committee to build a legacy that reshapes how young lawyers view their profession—shifting public interest work from an obscure sub-specialization to a primary, courageous calling.
As the inauguration concluded with the official Oath of Allegiance and group photography, the message out of Umuahia was clear: NBA-SPIDEL 2026 will not be business as usual.
