Legal Fireworks as 15 Lawyers Defend Udu NBA Chair in Fundamental Suit Challenging Whatsapp Platform’s Removal

Legal fireworks have commenced in the Ten million naira (N10million) fundamental Rights suit brought against the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA Udu Branch chairman, Odohisi Edmund John Esq by three members over their removal from the Branch WhatsApp platform.

This comes as sixteen lawyers who are also members of the branch, on Wednesday, stormed the Otor Udu High Court to defend the Branch Chairman over the matter.

The three lawyers, Obehi Destiny Elebhose Esq, Ugbuta Elvis Ogbonnaya Esq and Anna Onyia Esq in Suit No: OUHC/FHR/117/2025 are contending that the removal had breached their rights

The suit slated for hearing was however adjourned to 7th October, 2025 as the court sat late.

Patrick Mekako Esq who led a long list of lawyers in Court in solidarity with the Branch Chairman pooh-poohed the action of the trio Applicants as insulting to the branch.

Mekako, a former Chairman of the Branch noted that the action of the Applicants smark of desperation and abuse of Court processes and they are ready to dig it out in Court with the Applicants.

“The action of the Applicants is despicable and insulting to the Branch, we are here to defend our Chairman and we intend to do so to a logical conclusion”, He said.

In solidarity, Mekako led Edmund J. Odohisi Esq, the Respondent along with
E.F. Avbenagha Esq., A.I. Onodjefemue Esq., Oghenetega Ishaka Esq.,
V.O. Eze Esq., Lawrence Ayewa Esq., Silva O. Efenarhua (Mrs), O.E. Oghenebrohien Esq., Austin E. Nyekigbe Esq., Gomeromo Werikumor Esq, A.E. Oghounu Esq., Chief Akpokona Omafuaire, F.J. Kpedi (Miss) and
O.V. Daghagba (Miss).

The Applicants in their originating motion date 5th June 2025 had prayed the Court for a declaration that, the Respondent malicious removal of the Applicants from the NBA Udu Bar Branch WhatsApp platform without any contravention of any known law by the Applicants is unlawful, unconstitutional in breach of the Applicants fundamental rights as provide in 36,38,39 and 46(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

They prayed, “An Order of this Honourable Court ordering the Respondent to immediately reinstate the Applicants back to the said NBA Udu Bar branch WhatsApp platform.

“An Order of this Honourable Court ordering the Respondent to render public apology to the Applicants.

“The sum of #10,000,000.00(Ten Million Naira) only against the Respondent as damage suffered by the Applicants.”