About us

One of the major motivations for this move was the fact that Degema is one of the earliest administrative headquarters of the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria and is home to the Degema Judicial Division of the High Court of Rivers State. The said judicial division covered at least three local government areas, to wit: Degema Local Government Area, Asari-Toru Local Government Area and Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.

The Degema Lawyers Forum, headed by Alabo Talbot Denven Obaye-Ekine became the rallying point for Lawyers desirous of having a Branch of the NBA at the Degema Judicial Division to galvanize and brainstorm on the best way to achieve the creation of the Branch.

Several meetings of the Forum were held at the Degema Consulate and at the 12^th General Meeting of the Degema Lawyers Forum held on the 9^th day of October, 2012, a Resolution was passed wherein members agreed to form a body to be called the Nigerian Bar Association, Degema Branch. It was on the basis of the aforementioned resolution that a formal application was made to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association via a letter dated the 24^th day of October, 2013 for the creation of the Nigerian Bar Association, Degema Branch.

It was at the quarterly NEC meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association, held in the first quarter of 2014 in Abuja that the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Okey Wali, SAN created the Nigerian Bar Association, Degema Branch and same was approved by NEC.

T. D. Obaye-Ekine, Esq. was then elected as the pioneer Chairman of the Association. A position he held between June, 2012 to June 2014. He was succeeded by Sir Ibim Simeon Dokubo, Esq. who chaired the Association between June 2014 to June 2016. After the tenure of Ibim Simeon Dokubo, Esq. Dr. (Mrs.) Eucharia Somiari-Pepple was elected as the Chairman of the Association between June 2016 to June 2018. Upon the successful conclusion of her tenure, Dumo Ambie Barango, Esq. was elected to serve as the 4^th Chairman of the Association between June 2020 to June 2022. Dumo A.

Barango, Esq. was succeeded by Victor V. Amachree, Esq. who served as the Chairman of the Association between June 2022 to June 2024. Abiye A. Abo, Esq. was elected as the Chairman of the Association on Thursday, the 15^th day of August, 2024.

1. Justice

At NBA Degema, we believe justice and fairness is the right thing to do and the right of everyone. So, we do our best to treat everyone as such

2. Equity

We do not only believe and serve justice to all. We also believe in equity and inclusion. Everyone should be treated with respect and equity

3. Creativity

We are creative in all we do. We believe in creativity and encourage all our lawyers to be creative and innovative.

4. Unity

NBA Degema Branch is one big, united family with a strong sense of community and purpose.

5. Excellence

Excellence is our watchword. We strive to be as efficient as possible thereby resulting to excellence in all we do

6. Support

We believe in support for another as a big, united family. And so, we do our best to support one another in every way possible.