The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the purported appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina, who was convicted for stealing over ₦2 billion in pension funds, as Grand Patron of the NBA Garki Branch, describing the move as a mockery of the legal profession and Nigeria’s fight against corruption.
In a statement signed by the President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the Association said it viewed the alleged appointment with “disdain,” noting that such an action gravely undermines the integrity of the Bar and contradicts its core values of promoting the rule of law and justice.
“The Nigerian Bar Association views with disdain the purported appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina, who was convicted for stealing over ₦2 billion in pension funds, as ‘Grand Patron of NBA Garki Branch’ by the Chairman of NBA Garki Branch, Anthony Bamidele Ojo,” Osigwe said.
According to the association President, the purported appointment not only casts the legal profession in a negative light but also trivialises the government’s anti-corruption efforts and the Association’s longstanding commitment to accountability and ethical conduct.
“The purported appointment not only paints the legal profession and the NBA in a bad light but also makes a mockery of the Government’s fight against corruption, as well as the Association’s motto of promoting the rule of law,” he stated.
Osigwe also faulted comments allegedly made by the Chairman of the Bar Garki Branch regarding Maina’s appeal, which is believed to be pending before the Supreme Court, stressing that the Bar must never be seen to influence public opinion or judicial proceedings in cases that are sub judice.
“While the NBA respects Mr. Maina’s right to exhaust his right to appeal against the conviction, the Bar will NOT under any guise comment on such an appeal or be seen to try to sway public opinion in his favour,” the NBA President declared.
He warned that any endorsement or defence of a person convicted of corruption portrays the Association as condoning corrupt practices and represents a failure of its responsibility to society and the justice system.
“The Bar fails in her duties to the society and the cause of justice when it condones, encourages, and or fails to take definite actions to eliminate corruption and corrupt practices,” Osigwe said.
The NBA President emphasised that the Association would not lend its platform, name, or institutional credibility to actions capable of laundering the image of any person convicted of criminal offences or interfering with ongoing judicial processes.
“The Association will not, under any guise, lend its platform, name, or institutional credibility to influence public opinion or judicial proceedings in respect of cases that are sub judice or take steps that may be perceived as laundering the image of any person convicted of criminal offences,” he added.
In view of the development, the NBA directed the Chairman of the Garki Branch, Mr. Anthony Bamidele Ojo, to immediately withdraw the purported appointment of Maina and to desist from making any statements or representations in support of him or any other litigant with matters pending before the courts.
“The Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, Mr. Bamidele Ojo, is hereby directed to immediately withdraw any purported appointment of Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina as a Patron of the Branch and to forthwith cease and desist from issuing statements, comments, or representations on behalf of, or in support of, Mr. Maina or any other litigant in respect of cases pending in court,” Osigwe said.
The NBA further disclosed that the conduct amounts to a serious breach of professional responsibility and institutional discipline, adding that disciplinary proceedings would be initiated against the Garki Branch Chairman.
“Accordingly, disciplinary proceedings will be commenced against the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch for actions inconsistent with the Constitution of the NBA, the Rules of Professional Conduct, and the core values of the legal profession,” the statement read.
Osigwe stressed that integrity, accountability, respect for the judicial process, and public confidence in the legal profession remain foundational principles of the NBA.
“Any conduct that undermines these principles will attract firm and decisive institutional response,” he warned.
The Association formally disclaimed the purported appointment and reiterated its resolve to deploy its influence in combating corruption.
“The NBA therefore disclaims the purported appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina as ‘Grand Patron of NBA Garki Branch’ by the Chairman of the Branch, Anthony Bamidele Ojo. The NBA strongly condemns his actions and reiterates that the Bar must use its power to stop corruption,” the statement concluded.
