Est. 1971

The Capital Bar

NBA Awka Branch

The second oldest branch of the Nigerian Bar Association in Anambra State, serving the legal profession with excellence since 1971.

50+
Years of Service
2
Branches Produced
5
SANs Produced

About Us

Pioneering legal excellence in the heart of Anambra State

Who We Are

The Awka Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, popularly called "The Capital Bar", is one of the many branches of the Nigerian Bar Association. It is the second oldest branch of the eight (8) branches of the NBA in Anambra State of Nigeria.

Our Location

Located in the capital of Anambra State—the Awka Capital Territory—hence the appellation "The Capital Bar". We serve as the premier legal institution in the state capital.

🏛

Ozo Amanke Okafor Bar Centre

Our Home Since 2017

Named after our founding father, Ozo G.N.A. Okafor (Amanke), the Bar Centre stands as a testament to our rich heritage and commitment to the legal profession.

Address: 50 Court Road, Awka 420108, Anambra State
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Our History

A journey of resilience, growth, and legal excellence since 1971

01

Formation & Registration

1971 - The Beginning

The Awka Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association was formed after the Nigerian Civil War, precisely in the year 1971. Prior to this, the territory that now constitutes the Awka Judicial Division of the High Court of Anambra State was part of the Onitsha Judicial Division of the High Court of the then Eastern Region.

There were no law offices open in Awka prior to the Nigerian civil war. However, as a result of the war, Nigerian lawyers of Igbo extraction practising in various parts of Nigeria were forced to return to their home base. Consequently, lawyers including George Nwogbonnia Amankemekwu Okafor (popularly called Amanke), the first General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, relocated from Lagos to Awka. He was joined by James Nnajiofor Iloduba Ezekwe, the first lawyer called to the Bar from Nibo town, who relocated from Jos to Awka.

The Founding Fathers

Ozo G.N.A. Okafor Esq.

"Amanke"

Founding Chairman (1971-1987). First General Secretary of the NBA. First indigene of Awka town called to the Nigerian Bar.

J.N.I. Ezekwe Esq.

Founding Vice Chairman

First lawyer called to the Bar from Nibo town. Later served as Chairman (1987-1990).

P.N. Nwofor Esq.

"Lord Ogmor"

Founding Secretary from Nawfia. Instrumental in establishing branch operations.

Chief (Sir) O.B. Onyali SAN

Founding Assistant Secretary

Later Secretary and Chairman (1990-1999). Now the Leader of the Branch and only surviving founding member.

Chief (Sir) Benedict Ozoemena Onyali

SAN

Prominent among the 1966 law students enrolled into Nigerian Law School, called to Bar in 1971.

Other Founding Members

Including Barr. Ikejiani (Nri), G.C. Nonyelu (Amawbia), F.K.C. Nonyelu (Amawbia), Chief P.N. Obegolu, and Charles Udemezue Ikejiofor.

Growth & Expansion

Since formation in 1971 and registration with the National body of the NBA, Awka Branch has grown from strength to strength and has produced other branches of the NBA.

  • Aguata Branch of the NBA (The Frontline Bar)
  • Anaocha Branch of the NBA

Notable Achievements

  • ▸ Hosted National Executive Committee Meetings of the NBA
  • ▸ Hosted Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) Meetings
  • ▸ Established permanent Bar Centre at 50 Court Road, Awka
  • ▸ Annual celebration of Chief (Sir) O.B. Onyali SAN, our surviving founder
02

Secretariat & Meeting Venues

Evolution of Our Home

Initial Days (1971-1980s)

Meetings held at Chief Magistrate Court Awka

Transition Period (1980s-2017)

Moved to State Judiciary Headquarters Conference Hall

Current Home (2017-Present)

During Chief Emmanuel Odum's regime (2015-2017), NBA Awka Branch moved into the present Awka Bar compound. We currently operate from a temporary structure while building our permanent structure at the Ozo Amanke Okafor Bar Centre.

Distinguished Members

Senior Advocates of Nigeria from our Branch

1
Prof. Ilochi Okafor, SAN

Prof. Ilochi Okafor

SAN

Deputy Leader

2
Chief O.B. Onyali, SAN

Chief O.B. Onyali

SAN

Founding Member|Leader

3
Rev. Fr. Prof. Edwin S.C. Obiorah, SAN

Rev. Fr. Prof.
Edwin S.C. Obiorah

SAN

Distinguished Member

4
Chief Ifeanyichukwu Obiakor, SAN

Chief
Ifeanyichukwu Obiakor

SAN

Past Chairman

5
Dr. Chienye Okafor, SAN

Dr. Chienye Okafor

SAN

Distinguished Member

Past Presidents & Chairmen

Leadership lineage from inception to date

Ozo G.N.A. Okafor
GNO Pioneer Chairman
Photo: img/pioneer.jpeg
PIONEER

Ozo George Nwogbonnia Amanke Okafor Esq.

Pioneer Chairman

1971 - 1989

Founding Father

Chief O.B. Onyali SAN
OB SAN
Photo: img/second Pr.jpeg

Chief O.B. Onyali SAN

Sec. 1981-1989

Chairman 1990-1999

Leader 2007-date

Prof. Ilochi Okafor SAN
IO SAN
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Prof. Ilochi Okafor SAN

Deputy Leader

Distinguished Silk

J.N.I. Ezekwe Esq.
JNI
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J.N.I. Ezekwe Esq.

Chairman

1989 - 1993

Founding Vice Chairman

Ike Onyejiaka Esq.
IO
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Ike Onyejiaka Esq.

Chairman

1999 - 2003

E.C.G. Okechukwu Esq.
ECG
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E.C.G. Okechukwu Esq.

Chairman

2003 - 2005

Hon. Justice C.G. Nwankwor
CGN
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Hon. Justice C.G. Nwankwor

Chairman

2005 - 2007

"Akukalia"

Chief Ifeanyichukwu Obiakor SAN
IFO SAN
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Chief Ifeanyichukwu Obiakor SAN

Chairman

2007 - 2009

"Ezeomeisato"

John Ikemefuna Igu Esq.
JII
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John Ikemefuna Igu Esq.

Sec. 1999-2003

Chairman 2009-2011

S.U.S. Mbanaso Esq.
SUM
Photo: img/tenth.jpeg

S.U.S. Mbanaso Esq.

Chairman

2011 - 2012

Amaka Ezeno Esq.
AE
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Amaka Ezeno Esq.

Chairman

2012 - 2013

"Bencher"

Uba Anene Esq.
UA
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Uba Anene Esq.

Chairman

2013 - 2015

"Eko Awka"

Emma Odum Esq.
EO
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Emma Odum Esq.

Chairman

2015 - 2017

Moved to Bar Centre

Gabriel U. Moneke Esq.
GUM
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Gabriel U. Moneke Esq.

Sec. 2005-2007

Chairman 2017-2019

Ekene Okonkwo Esq.
EO
Photo: img/15th.jpeg

Ekene Okonkwo Esq.

Chairman

2019 - 2021

Ken Nwanna Esq.
KN
Photo: img/16th.jpeg

Ken Nwanna Esq.

Chairman

2021 - 2023

Hon. Bona Oraekwe
BO
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EMERITUS

Hon. Bona Oraekwe

Chairman

2023 - 2025

Raphael N. Anagor Esq.
RNA
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CURRENT

Raphael N. Anagor Esq.

Chairman

2025 -