Nigerian Bar Association election plagued by cyberattack and disputed presidency

More than two weeks after the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) national officers election, the professional body remains in turmoil. The Electoral Committee, chaired by Aham Ejelam, SAN, and including members such as Ibrahim Aliyu Nassarawa and Professor Chidi Onyia, disappeared after the vote was abruptly halted and attributed to a coordinated cyber‑attack. The NBA reported that the voting platform was compromised, resulting in a 31.86 % turnout and widespread questions about data security, breach notification and the identity of the attackers.

In the aftermath, the NBA elected its first female president, Oyinkansola Badejo‑Okusanya, SAN, a result that intensified regional tensions. Her victory marked the third consecutive dispute for the South‑West zone, which traditionally supplies the association’s leadership. The contested outcome and the unresolved cyber‑incident have raised concerns about the NBA’s credibility and governance.

The controversy highlights both the vulnerability of the bar’s digital infrastructure and the political dynamics within Nigeria’s legal community.