Some Nigerian lawyers have approached the court, asking it to order the shutdown of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE). The lawyers argue that the institute is operating outside its legal mandate and has failed to meet the purpose for which it was created. They insist that urgent judicial intervention is needed to address what they describe as long-standing concerns within the legal profession.

According to the applicants, the ICLE has imposed compulsory programmes and fees on lawyers without proper legal backing. They claim this practice places unnecessary financial pressure on legal practitioners, especially younger members of the Bar, and undermines professional freedom. The lawyers believe continuing education should be encouraged, not enforced in a way that appears exploitative.

The suit further alleges that the NBA institute lacks transparency in its operations, particularly in how funds generated from trainings and seminars are managed. The lawyers are asking the court to examine the structure, funding, and authority of the institute to determine whether it aligns with existing laws governing the legal profession in Nigeria.

While the case is still before the court, it has sparked fresh debate among lawyers nationwide about professional regulation, accountability, and reforms within the NBA. Many observers say the outcome could significantly shape how continuing legal education is managed in the future and redefine the relationship between the NBA and its members.