Some Nigerian lawyers have announced the establishment of another professional body different from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)

The parallel body known as the Law Society of Nigeria is led by Mr Kunle Ogunba (SAN).

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the LSN’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Douglas Ogbankwa.

Ogbankwa, in the state, said the LSN emerged in a bid to redefine the ideas of the founding fathers of the legal profession, describing the new association as a “new sheriff in town.”

He said the LSN was established to keep the legal practice in Nigeria in line with international best practices.

“In redefining the ideas of the founding fathers of the legal profession in Nigeria, the Law Society of Nigeria, a new professional association of lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar, has been established.

“This is in keeping with international best practices, which allow for an alternative, to ensure that lawyers thrive within the realm of those they have shared values with,” he said.

According to Ogbankwa, in a letter dated October 24, the pro tem National Executive Committee of LSN notified the Body of Benchers of the association’s existence and its national officers.

NBA mum

Meanwhile, efforts by our correspondent to get the reaction of the NBA on Sunday failed.

The President of the NBA, Mr Yakubu Maikyau (SAN); and the association’s General Secretary, Mr Adesina Adegbite, did not take the calls made to their mobile telephone lines.

They also did not respond to text and WhatsApp messages sent to their lines.

Our correspondent reported that their phones rang but they busied the calls and later switched off their phones.

Controversy erupts

Meanwhile, controversy has started trailing the emergence of the new association with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Richard Ahonaruogho, issuing a disclaimer.

Ahonaruogho, who claimed that he is the convener and founding secretary of the new group, stated that the purported executives of the LSN as announced are not known to the body.

He asked all Nigerian lawyers and the Body of Benchers to disregard the “hasty announcement.”

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