“Amicably Resolved” – SPIDEL Chairman Aikpokpo-Martins And Echeho Godfrey Withdraw Lawsuits Against Ex-NBA President Maikyau

In a major step toward restoring unity within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has formally withdrawn two lawsuits against immediate past NBA President Yakubu C. Maikyau, OON, SAN, following amicable out-of-court settlements.

The lawsuits—Suit No. HOR/13/2024 at the Orerokpe Judicial Division and Suit No. EHC/40/2024 at the Effurun Judicial Division—were discontinued on May 22 and June 5, 2025, respectively. Notices of discontinuance filed in court cited the mutual resolution of disputes between the parties.

In a parallel development, NBA-SPIDEL Chairman John Aikpokpo-Martins had earlier secured interim injunctions on July 9, 2024, in Suit No. W/128/2024 at the Warri Judicial Division, restraining a factional caretaker committee from convening conferences or conducting elections—amid a broader leadership tussle within the section.

Tensions between SPIDEL and the NBA leadership escalated in early 2024 when Aikpokpo-Martins challenged a directive issued by President Maikyau on January 31, 2024, which barred SPIDEL from carrying out any activity without prior presidential approval.

In a strongly worded response dated February 9, 2024, Aikpokpo-Martins accused Maikyau of obstructing SPIDEL’s planned initiatives, including a national conference on religious tolerance, election observation activities in Edo State, and investigations into alleged human rights violations—such as the high-profile sexual assault allegations involving Professor Cyril Ndifon of the University of Calabar.

Citing Article XI(c) and (h) of the NBA Uniform Bye-Laws, he maintained that SPIDEL’s operations were subject to oversight only by the NBA National Executive Council (NEC), not unilateral presidential control.

SPIDEL’s stance was reaffirmed at an Extraordinary General Meeting on February 4, 2024, where members unanimously rejected the presidential directive as “null, void, and of no effect.”

The conflict soon escalated to litigation. Suit No. HOR/13/2024 was filed at Orerokpe by Echeho Godfrey, while Suit No. EHC/40/2024 was instituted at Effurun by Aikpokpo-Martins and SPIDEL Secretary Funmi Adeogun. Both suits challenged the directives from Maikyau and named as defendants the NBA President, General Secretary Adesina Adegbite, and the Incorporated Trustees of the NBA.

On May 22, 2025, Godfrey filed a notice of discontinuance in Suit No. HOR/13/2024, stating:

“The parties in this suit having resolved their dispute out of court; I hereby discontinue this suit.”

Similarly, on June 5, 2025, Aikpokpo-Martins and Adeogun filed a notice of discontinuance in Suit No. EHC/40/2024, confirming:

“The claimants hereby discontinue this case against the defendants, same having been amicably resolved.”

The notices were served on counsel to the defendants—Raymond Isitor (Orerokpe) and Ama Etuwewe, SAN (Effurun). The specific terms of the settlements, however, were not disclosed.

Amid the disputes with Maikyau, SPIDEL also faced an internal leadership challenge. In Suit No. W/128/2024, filed before the Warri Judicial Division, Aikpokpo-Martins sought judicial relief against Ben Oji and the Incorporated Trustees of the NBA, alleging an attempt to displace the duly elected SPIDEL leadership via a caretaker committee.

On July 9, 2024, Justice Anthony Olotu Akpovi granted interim injunctions restraining the defendants from convening any SPIDEL conference or conducting elections pending the hearing of a motion for interlocutory injunction.

The court also ordered all parties to maintain the status quo and fixed July 16, July 30, August 1, August 5, and August 19, 2024, for accelerated hearing. Aikpokpo-Martins was directed to post a ₦250,000 bond as security against potential frivolous claims. Form 48 notices of contempt were issued against NBA officers Steve Adehi, SAN, and Yakubu Philemon, SAN.

TheNigeriaLawyer recalls that immediate past SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins, recently confirmed that all legal challenges against the previous NBA administration would now be discontinued, formally bringing the chapter of internal disputes to a close.

He commended the NBA National Executive Council (NEC) for its resolution passed at the May 15, 2025, meeting in Ilorin, which approved the constitution of a seven-member Electoral Committee chaired by Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN, to conduct SPIDEL elections this August.

Describing the move as a “fitting close” to the leadership impasse, Aikpokpo-Martins expressed appreciation to NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN, for facilitating the peaceful resolution. He also praised SPIDEL members for their steadfast loyalty during what he described as an unprecedented period of pressure.

“I cannot recall any instance where members of any NBA section have maintained over hundred percent support for their leadership under similar circumstances,” he remarked.