NBA Lagos Protests Navy’s ‘Deserter’ Tag on Retired Vice Admiral

The members of Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have staged a protest march to the Western Naval Command, demanding that the Nigerian Navy retract a “deserter” signal issued against Retired Vice Admiral Dada Olaniyi Labinjo, which the legal body says violates a current National Industrial Court judgement. 

On September 3, 2025, the Navy released a signal classifying “Captain D.O. Labinjo (Service No. NN0408)” and Lt Cdr S.A. Ibe-Lamberts (NN0840F) as deserters. The signal alleged Labinjo had been absent without official leave, since December 2, 2019. 

NBA Lagos says the Navy’s move conflicts with a binding judgement delivered by the National Industrial Court on March 24, 2025 (Suit No. NICN/LA/67/2023: Dada Olaniyi Labinjo v Nigerian Navy & 3 Ors). In that ruling, the court explicitly declared that Labinjo was not absent without leave, had completed over 35 years of service, attained the statutory retirement age, and was formally retired effective April 11, 2017. 

It would be recalled that the Branch leadership had issued a strongly worded statement condemning the alleged impunity by the leadership of the Nigerian Navy, warning that this posed an imminent danger to rule of law in Nigeria. According to NBA Lagos, the Navy’s “deserter signal” is not only false and baseless, but amounts to contempt of court. The Association, through its Chairman, Uchenna Ogunedo Akingbade, described the signal as a “grave overreach” and demanded its immediate retraction. 

Social media platforms were used to mobilise members of NBA Lagos, with notices urging a peaceful protest march to the Western Naval Command headquarters, in part to defend the fundamental rights of Vice Admiral Labinjo (Rtd), and to call attention to what they describe as a disregard for court judgements. 

The Lawyers argue that in a democratic society, the decisions of courts must be respected by all arms of Government, including military institutions. They warn that undermining judicial orders through administrative signals, erodes public trust in rule of law. 

The NBA Lagos Branch has made it clear that if the Navy does not retract its signal, they will pursue all legal avenues to ensure compliance with the judgement. Meanwhile, they have called on law enforcement and other relevant authorities to uphold court orders, and prevent any action that disrespects the judicial process 

As of now, the date for the protest march has been disseminated via NBA Lagos’s official social media channels; many expect it to take place today, though specific logistical details (time of gathering, route) are still being confirmed.