The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has inaugurated the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for its 2026 Annual Conference, with a charge to members to work collectively towards delivering a successful conference in Abia State.
The committee was inaugurated at the Conference Hall of the Abia State Ministry of Justice by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, SAN.
Speaking at the ceremony, Uwanna described NBA-SPIDEL as a critical platform of the Nigerian Bar Association that promotes discourse on public interest law, governance, access to justice and constitutional development.
He urged members of the LOC to bring professionalism, commitment and teamwork to the assignment to ensure the successful hosting of the conference.
The Attorney-General also highlighted ongoing developments in the state’s justice sector, disclosing that the administration of Governor Alex Otti, OFR, is constructing 17 new court buildings across Abia.
According to him, the governor is also expected to sign into law proposed amendments to the state’s Criminal Law and Administration of Criminal Justice Law, as well as a Restorative Justice Law, which he said are designed to strengthen access to justice in the state.
Uwanna further disclosed that Governor Otti had approved the hosting of the 2026 NBA-SPIDEL Annual Conference in Abia State.
“The essence of this important conference is that it will afford His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, the opportunity to showcase the strength of his administration in the justice sector,” he said.
In her remarks, NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, Associate Professor Uju Agomoh, charged both the Local Organising Committee and the Conference Planning Committee to approach their responsibilities with professionalism, integrity and a strong sense of responsibility.
She commended Governor Otti for what she described as his administration’s commitment to the development of the justice sector in Abia State.
“Public interest remains paramount to every successful government, and it is our collective responsibility to support public interest and ensure justice delivery in such a way that people will feel the impact and dividends of democracy,” Agomoh said.
Also speaking, former NBA-SPIDEL Chairman and member of the SPIDEL Committee on Monitoring and Implementation of the National Legal Aid Strategy, Prof. Paul Ananaba; representative of the Director-General of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Mr. Bamidele Ibikunle; and Chairman of the 2026 SPIDEL Conference Planning Committee, Sir Ejike Ezenwa, called for effective mobilisation ahead of the conference.
They disclosed that no fewer than 2,000 lawyers from across Nigeria are expected to attend the conference in Abia State, urging both organising committees to intensify efforts to mobilise NBA members nationwide.
Responding on behalf of the LOC, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Abia State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Paul Ogubunka, thanked Uwanna, Agomoh and other members of the NBA-SPIDEL executive for finding members of the committee worthy to serve.
Ogubunka assured that the committee would work closely as a team to deliver a conference that NBA-SPIDEL and the Abia State Government would be proud of.
Highlights of the inauguration ceremony included the administration of the oath of allegiance to members of the committee, group photographs and a closing prayer by Dr. Nnenna Eboh, a member of the NBA-SPIDEL Executive Committee.
The 2026 NBA-SPIDEL Annual Conference is expected to bring together lawyers, public interest advocates, government officials and other stakeholders from across Nigeria to deliberate on issues relating to public interest law, governance, justice delivery and national development.
