Abia To Host Over 2,000 Delegates For NBA Conference

Abia State is set to host over 2,000 delegates, consisting of legal specialists, judges, policymakers, academics and advancement partners, for the 2026 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL).

The conference themed “In Public Interest: Advancing Justice, Democracy and Development,” arranged to hold from November 9 to 13, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, will be co-hosted by the Abia State Government.

The statement was made on Friday, throughout an interview in Umuahia, where the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, SAN, stated the state was happy to host the nationwide event, which would concentrate on advancing justice, democracy and advancement.

Uwanna stated the conference style, showed the viewpoint of the administration of Governor Alex Otti, especially its dedication to reinforcing justice organizations, securing people’ rights and promoting responsibility in governance.

“For us in Abia State, justice is not simply what takes place in the courtroom. It has to do with the defense of the rights of people, guaranteeing responsibility in governance and producing an environment where advancement flourishes,” he stated.

The Attorney General revealed that more than 10 court houses were all set for commissioning by the guv, while a number of infrastructural enhancements had actually likewise been performed throughout the state’s judicial centers.

He included that the federal government was advancing electronic filing of court procedures and carrying out reforms focused on making the justice system more effective, available and responsive to residents’ requirements.

Uwanna even more revealed that Governor Otti signed 3 landmark legislations into law on October 19, 2026, specifically the Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law No. 6 of 2026, the Abia State Criminal Law No. 7 of 2026 and the Abia State Restorative Justice Law No. 8 of 2026.

According to him, the legislations are anticipated to enhance the administration of justice, enhance access to justice and promote peace, stability and sustainable advancement in the state.

He likewise remembered that the guv had actually signed the Abia State Correctional Facility Law in 2025, revealing hope that conversations at the conference would produce standards and useful roadmaps for its execution.

In her remarks, the Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, Professor Uju Agomoh, stated the conference would supply a chance for the legal occupation to move beyond theoretical conversations and establish useful suggestions efficient in affecting public law and institutional reforms.

Agomoh stated the event would analyze vital concerns verging on access to justice, judicial self-reliance, human rights, public responsibility, correctional reforms, state policing and the defense of susceptible groups.

She kept in mind that the conference would likewise attend to problems connecting to deaths in custody, avoidance of abuse, oversight of detention centers and the defense of ladies, kids and other marginalised groups.

According to her, the conversations would look for responses to concerns worrying the fortifying of democracy, constitutionalism and the guideline of law, in addition to the function of legal organizations in promoting financial advancement and social addition.

“We are especially thinking about moving beyond theory. We are tired of theoretical conversations. We wish to relocate to concrete, useful, actionable suggestions,” she stated.

The NBA-SPIDEL chairman divulged that the conference would unite stakeholders from federal government, the judiciary, academic community, civil society organisations, the economic sector and advancement partners from Nigeria and other nations.

She included that the program would include expert advancement sessions for young attorneys, mentorship chances for females in the justice sector, technical conversations and exhibits including civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

Agomoh likewise revealed that exceptional media organisations showing dedication to public interest journalism would be acknowledged throughout the conference supper, with a public ballot procedure to identify the receivers.

Speaking, the Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Ejike Ezenwa, SAN, stated the conference was created to position the interests of normal Nigerians at the centre of conversations on governance, justice and advancement.

Ezenwa stated individuals would consist of agents of worldwide organisations and advancement partners, including that the event would offer a chance for stakeholders to exchange concepts and establish options to difficulties impacting the nation.

He explained the conference as an unique session of the NBA devoted to problems impacting the general public, prompting citizens of Abia State to show hospitality and act as ambassadors of the state to checking out delegates.

He revealed self-confidence that the Umuahia edition would go beyond the previous conference kept in Oyo State, associating his optimism to the assistance of the Abia State Government and the conference management.

In her address, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters, Nkolika Ubani, explained the conference style as prompt, especially as the nation approaches another electioneering season.

Ubani stated justice, democracy and advancement were interconnected pillars of a progressive society, worrying that there might be no sustainable advancement without the guideline of law and responsible organizations.

She likewise highlighted the exhibit element of the conference, stating it would supply chances for legal innovation business, publishers, banks, federal government firms, business organisations and business owners to display their items, developments and services.

The Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of Abia State and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Paul Ogudunka, ensured planning delegates that plans had actually been produced lodging, security, transport and medical assistance.

Ogudunka stated the state anticipated more than 2,000 individuals, consisting of Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Oyinkansola Okusanya, SAN, and other popular figures in the legal occupation.

He stated the option of Umuahia showed the state’s dedication to justice, human self-respect and advancement, including that the conference would display the possibilities of advancing justice beyond the nation’s significant industrial centres.

He advised reporters to surpass reporting the opening event by following conversations on deaths in custody, policing, legal help and democracy.

“Those are the stories that alter lives. Report properly, report relatively, and assist us to bring the resolutions of the conference to individuals who can not be here,” he stated.

The NBA-SPIDEL 2026 Annual Conference provides a chance for individuals to engage with essential nationwide concerns and add to discussions on advancing justice, securing democracy and promoting advancement in the general public interest.