NBA President, Afam Osigwwe
By John Dike, Osogbo
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, has urged courts across the country to avoid the use of complex Latin phrases in their rulings and instead issue clear, direct, and unambiguous orders.
He made the call during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television, expressing concern over the confusion such legal terminologies often create, especially in politically sensitive cases.
“I think, considering the confusion that is arising in our body polity in recent times, our courts should not make orders using such Latin maxims like status quo ante bellum or pendente lite,” he said.
He stressed that courts should clearly state their intentions in plain language to avoid ambiguity and misinterpretation.
“The court should make clear orders as to what it means so that there is no ambiguity. It creates confusion. We have rendered it almost meaningless.
“It has been stripped of any clear meaning, so our courts should avoid using such phrases and instead specify what orders they are making so that nobody will be left in doubt, and no administrative body will have to interpret it,” he added.
The NBA president noted that vague rulings often lead to multiple interpretations, with different parties claiming victory.
“I see situations where people go away rejoicing that the order was in their favour, thereby giving room for mischief or for anybody to interpret it the way they want,”
Osigwe explained that while such legal expressions may be well understood in other jurisdictions, Nigeria’s unique environment makes their usage problematic.
His remarks come amid controversy surrounding the interpretation of a Court of Appeal ruling in a leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress.
The court had directed parties to maintain status quo ante bellum, a Latin phrase meaning the situation as it existed before the dispute. However, the directive sparked disagreement between the Independent National Electoral Commission and factions within the party.
INEC subsequently delisted the David Mark-led National Working Committee from its portal, a move rejected by the faction, which insists it remains the legitimate leadership.
The dispute has since triggered protests by rival groups at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, including a separate demonstration led by Nafiu Gombe, who also claims to be the authentic national chairman of the party.
