The African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) has given a seven-day ultimatum to a breakaway faction in Nigeria to stop parading itself as officers of the Association and using its name, logo and official communication platforms.
AWLA, in a position statement issued on Thursday, also warned the faction to desist from what it described as defamatory and derogatory publications against the Association, its officials and members. The statement was signed by Sakinah Adepeju Oduye-Quadri, Secretary General, AWLA International, on behalf of the Executive Council.
The Association said the crisis followed the expiration of the tenure of the former AWLA Nigeria executive on October 22, 2023. According to AWLA, the executive failed to conduct elections before the expiration of its tenure, prompting the international body to constitute and inaugurate a Caretaker Committee on November 24, 2023.
AWLA alleged that instead of handing over, the expired executive convened an extraordinary meeting, selected an Electoral Committee and conducted an election which the international body described as unconstitutional. It further alleged that a group led by Caroline Ibharuneafe, proceeded to inaugurate an unauthorised executive on January 5, 2024, despite warnings from the Caretaker Committee and AWLA International.
The Association said the Caretaker Committee later conducted elections on March 14, 2024, leading to the emergence of an executive headed by Falilat Oluwatoyin Orire as Country Representative, and Toyin Ndidi Taiwo-Ojo as General Secretary. It also accused the breakaway faction of unlawfully taking over its Secretariat, and attempting to gain control of its bank accounts and official digital platforms.
AWLA declared that the group had been suspended, and had no authority to represent the Association. It warned that continued use of AWLA’s identity and platforms after seven days would compel it to take “proper steps” to protect the Association’s integrity, insisting that its constitution, bye-laws and the rule of law must be respected.