More facts have emerged on how the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) rejected registration of the new lawyers’ union, citing conflict with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

In a document obtained by press, the CAC had refused to approve the name “Law Society of Nigeria” among two others, stating that the “name is closely similar to Nigerian Bar Association and will mislead.”

As an additional reason for its refusal to register the new body, the CAC claimed that “It also lacks the spread and National Character.”

However, the promoters of the new association fought back through a protest letter by their solicitor and former NBA General Secretary who now doubles as LSN’s Vice President, Mr. Nimi Walson-Jack, saying that the promoters are “victims of patent error, probable administrative inadvertence, and oversight.”

Meanwhile, there are strong indications that the arrow-heads of the new association are Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN, Mr. Mela Audu Nunghe SAN and Amb. Garba Gajam among others. The Bar Leaders are listed as Trustees of then proposed association.

The Publicity Secretary of LSN, Mr. Douglas Ogbankwa told press that it was when the CAC refused to register the proposed name notwithstanding the petition that the promoters opted for a recourse to a similar name earlier incorporated by the CAC.

Meanwhile, another Bar Leader, Prince Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, SAN had challenged the new body for going public with its existence, saying that the protem Executive Committee is “unknown to the Law Society of Nigeria (NLS), and should be disregarded by all Nigerian Lawyers and the Distinguished Body of Benchers of Nigeria to whom the letter dated 24th October, 2022, was written.”

This was however countered by the nascent association which argued that it has the consent of the sole surviving trustee of LSN.