Tension is brewing within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) as the Warri and Effurun Branches lock horns over funeral honours for late Edirin Diejomaoh, Esq.
The crisis erupted after NBA Effurun Branch organized a Special Tribute and Procession for Diejomaoh — a move NBA Warri Branch condemned as “deliberate and wrongful interference” in a strongly worded protest letter to the NBA President.
According to the Warri Branch Chairman, Othadua Okpakpor, Esq., and Secretary, Michael Efeakpor, Esq., Diejomaoh was a full member of Warri Branch until his death in December 2024, but was not active enough to merit a Valedictory Court Session. Warri Branch pointed out that Diejomaoh attended only one meeting between 2018 and 2024, falling short of their criteria for such honours, which prioritizes age and active participation.
Warri Branch also accused Effurun Branch of misleading the Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Tessy Diai, in an attempt to secure approval for a court session. Following Warri’s protest, the Chief Judge declined approval.
However, on Friday, 25th April 2025, Effurun Branch went ahead with a Tribute and Procession at their Bar Centre within the Effurun High Court premises, with the deceased’s casket present. During the event, the deceased’s eldest son asserted that his father was a member of the Effurun Branch.
In response, the Warri Branch resolved at its meeting on 27th April 2025 to escalate the matter to the Mid-West Bar Forum, write again to the NBA President, and raise it at the National Executive Council (NEC).
This incident marks yet another flashpoint between the two branches. In December 2025, both branches controversially scheduled their Annual Dinners on the same day. Additionally, Effurun Branch has consistently refused to recognize the Warri Branch Chairman as “Chairman of Chairmen” or acknowledge Chief Oghenero Okoro — a Warri Branch member — as Effurun Branch’s founding chairman.
According to Barrister Tega Fola the NBA leadership is now under pressure to step in to prevent further deterioration of unity within the bar