The African Bar Association (AfBA) has formally invited Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to its 2026 Annual Conference scheduled to hold in Sal, Cape Verde, from September 20 to 24, while also seeking his intervention in securing the return of the Association’s secretariat, which was originally built and donated to AfBA by the Federal Government but was subsequently repossessed.
The invitation was extended during a courtesy visit on Friday 10th July, by an AfBA delegation led by its President, High Chief Ibrahim Eddy-Mark, to the Attorney General’s office in Abuja. Other members of the delegation included Prof. Agbo Madaki, Major General Shalangwa, Mimi Ayua, Teyojesam Eko and Lillian Okenwa.
Welcoming the delegation, Fagbemi expressed appreciation for the visit and commended the African Bar Association for its contributions to the advancement of the legal profession and the promotion of justice across the African continent.
Speaking during the meeting, High Chief Eddy-Mark said the visit formed part of AfBA’s long-standing tradition of personally inviting key stakeholders across Africa to its annual conference while engaging them on issues affecting the legal profession and the continent.
He disclosed that the Association had already commenced consultations with several government institutions and agencies ahead of the conference and urged the Attorney General to attend the Cape Verde gathering, where legal practitioners, policymakers and other stakeholders would deliberate on critical legal, governance and development issues affecting Africa.
The AfBA President also appealed to the Attorney General to assist in resolving the Association’s long-standing secretariat matter by facilitating the return of its secretariat, which was constructed and donated to the Association by the Federal Government before being repossessed.
Responding, Fagbemi described the African Bar Association as a respected regional body and pressure group that has recorded significant achievements over the years.
“I am at one with you as a regional body and pressure group of which I am also a member,” the Attorney General said, acknowledging AfBA’s role in strengthening the rule of law and promoting justice across Africa.
Addressing the secretariat issue, Fagbemi recognised the importance of restoring the Association’s permanent home.
“I strongly agree that the dream of having the AfBA secretariat back should be actualised. It is said that you are not yourself until you have a shelter you can call your own,” he remarked.
The Attorney General acknowledged that efforts to secure the return of the property had not yet yielded the desired outcome but assured the delegation that he remained committed to pursuing the matter until the Association’s secretariat is restored.
On the forthcoming conference, Fagbemi assured the delegation of his support, stating that he had already cleared his schedule for the period and would do his utmost to attend the Cape Verde conference with members of his team.
He thanked the AfBA leadership for the courtesy visit and for personally extending the invitation, pledging his continued support for the Association and its activities.
The meeting concluded with a group photograph, reaffirming the cordial relationship between the Federal Ministry of Justice and the African Bar Association ahead of the Association’s flagship continental conference in September.
