Enugu, August 27, 2025. The Nigerian Bar Association–Law Officers Forum (NBA-LOF), the special arm of the NBA dedicated to law officers serving as prosecutors, legal advisers, and government counsel across the federation, will today take center stage at the NBA Annual General Conference.
The Forum serves as the collective voice of legal practitioners in public service, ensuring professionalism, capacity building, and policy advocacy in the delivery of justice.
At the 2025 NBA Annual General Conference in Enugu, the Forum will host a pivotal breakout session on the theme “Prosecutorial Discretion and Accountability: Striking a Balance in a Democratic Society”.
The session will hold from 11:00am to 12:30pm at the 5th Marquee, Friendship Centre (Mr Andrew Anyamene Hall), Enugu.
Profiles of the Discussants
- Hon. Ben Odoh – A respected public law practitioner and legal reform advocate, Hon. Odoh has distinguished himself in governance and justice administration, with a career spanning legislative engagement and justice-sector development.
- Kayode Ajulo, SAN – A Senior Advocate of Nigeria with an extensive portfolio in constitutional law and governance. Ajulo is known for his bold advocacy on rights protection and strengthening institutional accountability in Nigeria’s justice system.
- Prof. Salim Bashir Magashi – An erudite academic and scholar of criminal law, Prof. Magashi has contributed extensively to jurisprudence on prosecutorial discretion, teaching and mentoring generations of lawyers across Nigerian universities.
- Yusuf Abdulkadir, Esq. – Serving as Chairman of the NBA-LOF, Abdulkadir brings hands-on experience as a law officer, bridging theory and practice in balancing state prosecution with the demands of fairness and justice.
- Dr. Ejike Okaphor – A seasoned legal consultant and researcher, Dr. Okaphor has published widely on criminal justice reform and is a strong voice in shaping prosecutorial ethics within democratic frameworks.
- Labaran Magaji, PhD – A leading voice in public interest law and a former legal adviser to key state institutions. Dr Magaji combines academic insight with practical prosecution experience, making him a formidable discussant on the challenges of accountability.
On the Topic
The subject of prosecutorial discretion has never been more urgent in Nigeria’s democratic journey. Law officers, as custodians of public prosecutions, wield enormous power that must be exercised with fairness, transparency, and accountability.
This session provides a rare opportunity for robust dialogue between academics, practitioners, and public prosecutors on how to balance prosecutorial independence with the imperatives of justice delivery.
In a nation where selective prosecution and abuse of discretion have often undermined public trust, the conversation promises to shed light on how Nigeria can institutionalise safeguards that strengthen democracy and protect rights.
Speaking ahead of the session, Safiya Balarabe, Esq, Secretary of NBA-LOF, assured that the conversation would be “insightful, enlightening, and impactful, a practical exchange that strengthens both the Bar and the justice system.”
