The 2024 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference (AGC) has been marred by reports of lawyers being subjected to maltreatment by security personnel at the venue of the cocktail welcome party.
Some lawyers were allegedly denied entry due to the lack of a special access card, a requirement that was apparently not previously communicated to all attendees.
The incident has sparked vigorous debate and varied reactions from lawyers in attendance and the broader legal community.
Some lawyers noted that there have been different access cards or tags required for certain AGC events in the past, in addition to the standard conference tag. For example, at a previous conference in Lagos, a special access card was needed to enter the Eko Hotel venue for the opening session, with those lacking it being redirected to an overflow viewing area. Similar requirements have applied for events like the Presidential Dinner which require separate payment.
In the case of the Chief Justice’s cocktail event this year, some lawyers argue the need for a distinct access card beyond the regular conference tag was not made sufficiently clear in advance. This led to an embarrassing situation where some lawyers were turned away.
However, others contend that conference attendees have a responsibility to confirm they have the necessary tags and access passes for the events they wish to attend. They suggest lawyers should proactively obtain all required passes upon arrival rather than assuming their standard conference tag will grant universal access.
Several commentators expressed hope that similar access issues and embarrassment for lawyers will not reoccur at the conference’s opening ceremony and other key events. Clear communication about any special access requirements is crucial.
While some condemned the actions of the security personnel, others argued they were simply doing their job to restrict access appropriately, even if the communication about required passes was subpar. The rapid intervention of the NBA publicity secretary to clarify the situation and grant lawyers entry was praised.
A few lawyers also chastised their colleagues for making a public issue of the matter, suggesting those without the proper tags should have simply excused themselves from the event with dignity rather than arguing with security or submitting to an undignified “shove.”
Underlying the specific debate over access cards, some lawyers pointed to this controversy as a symptom of broader “dystopic” dysfunction and lack of seriousness within the legal community. They argue that as the “brains and conscience” of society, lawyers have a special duty to model good behavior and competence.
The AGC access card incidents, while perhaps an isolated negative, have clearly touched a nerve and raised challenging questions about organizational competence, proper communication, and the decorum expected of learned legal professionals at their flagship annual gathering.
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