NBA Condemns Alleged Appointment of Convicted Ex-Pension Boss as Patron, Orders Immediate Reversal
The Nigerian Bar Association has strongly condemned the purported appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina, a former public official convicted of pension fraud, as “Grand Patron” of the NBA Garki Branch, describing the move as a grave affront to the legal profession and Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
In a statement signed by NBA President Afam Osigwe, the association said the reported appointment, allegedly made by the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, “makes a mockery of the legal profession and the fight against corruption.” The NBA stressed that it would not, under any guise, lend its name, platform, or institutional credibility to actions that could be perceived as laundering the image of any person convicted of criminal offences or influencing judicial proceedings.
The association noted that while it respects every citizen’s right to exhaust appellate remedies, it will not comment on or appear to sway public opinion regarding cases that are sub judice. It described comments attributed to the branch leadership about Mr. Maina’s pending appeal as “equally reprehensible,” warning that such conduct undermines public confidence in the justice system.
Directing immediate corrective action, the NBA ordered the Chairman of the Garki Branch to withdraw any purported appointment forthwith and to cease issuing statements or representations in support of Mr. Maina or any other litigant with matters before the courts. The association further announced that disciplinary proceedings would be initiated against the branch chairman for conduct inconsistent with the NBA Constitution and the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Reaffirming its core values of integrity, accountability, and respect for the judicial process, the NBA said any conduct that condones or appears to condone corruption would attract “firm and decisive institutional response,” and formally disclaimed the alleged appointment.
