By Our Correspondent

National News – The Nigerian Bar Association has clarified that the recent Federal High Court judgment did not cancel the NBA Stamp and Seal policy or its Continuing Professional Development regulations.

The association issued the clarification on Saturday following social media reports claiming the court ruling had invalidated the long-standing legal practice requirement.

The NBA explained that the Supreme Court had already affirmed the legality of the policy, making it binding across Nigeria.

In a statement signed by the NBA General Secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, the association said the Federal High Court could not overturn the Supreme Court’s position on the matter.

According to the NBA, the apex court had earlier ruled in the case involving the All Progressives Congress and General Bello Sarkin Yaki that legal documents filed without the NBA Stamp and Seal were improperly filed but not automatically void.

The association referenced the October 27, 2015 judgment delivered by Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, which stated that such court processes could still be corrected by attaching the approved NBA stamp and seal afterward.

The NBA also cited the concurring judgment of Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi and the Court of Appeal ruling in NBA v. Kehinde to support its position.

The NBA stressed that Supreme Court judgments remain binding on all lower courts under Section 235 of the 1999 Constitution.

It added that although it had yet to fully review the latest Federal High Court ruling, the decision could not invalidate the authority of the apex court on the Stamp and Seal regime.

The association reassured lawyers, court registries, judges and the public that the Stamp and Seal policy remains fully operational nationwide.

According to the NBA, the policy helps regulate legal practice, prevent impersonation and protect Nigerians from fake lawyers while preserving professional standards in the legal profession.