In a statement signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA said it viewed with “utter disdain” the reported appointment allegedly made by the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, Anthony Bamidele Ojo, stressing that the action brought the legal profession into disrepute.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the purported appointment of convicted former pension reform boss, Abdulrasheed Maina, as “Grand Patron of the NBA Garki Branch,” describing the move as disgraceful, unethical and a direct affront to the rule of law.
In a statement signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA said it viewed with “utter disdain” the reported appointment allegedly made by the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, Anthony Bamidele Ojo, stressing that the action brought the legal profession into disrepute.
Maina was convicted for stealing over N2 billion in pension funds.
According to the NBA, the purported appointment not only paints the Association and the legal profession in a bad light, but also makes a mockery of the Federal Government’s anti-corruption efforts and the NBA’s core mandate of promoting the rule of law.
The Association also faulted the Chairman of the Garki Branch for allegedly making public comments concerning Maina’s appeal, which is believed to be pending before the Supreme Court.
The NBA warned that such actions portray the Chairman of the Garki Branch and anyone who endorsed the move as condoning corruption.
It emphasised that it would not lend its platform, name or institutional credibility to influence judicial proceedings or launder the image of any individual convicted of criminal offences, noting that doing so would amount to a grave violation of professional ethics.
Consequently, the NBA directed Mr. Ojo to immediately withdraw any purported appointment of the pension thief, Maina, as a patron of the branch and to cease forthwith from issuing statements or representations on behalf of, or in support of, Maina or any other litigant in matters pending before the courts.
The Association described the conduct as a serious breach of professional responsibility and institutional discipline, announcing that disciplinary proceedings would be initiated against the NBA Garki Branch Chairman.
The NBA reiterated that integrity, accountability, respect for the judicial process and the preservation of public confidence in the legal profession remain its foundational values, warning that any conduct that undermines these principles would attract firm and decisive sanctions.
The statement reads in part, "The Nigerian Bar Association views with disdain the purported appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina, who was convicted for stealing over N2 billion in pension funds, as ‘Grand Patron of NBA Garki Branch’ by the Chairman of NBA Garki Branch, Anthony Bamidele Ojo.
"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.
"Equally reprehensible was the decision of the Chairman to make comments about Abdulrasheed Maina’s appeal, currently believed to be pending at the Supreme Court. 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.
"These actions portray the Chairman of NBA Garki and, indeed, any person who endorsed his putrid actions as condoning corrupt practices. 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.”
"In view of the foregoing, 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,” the NBA said.
"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,” it said.
The Association formally disclaimed the purported appointment of Maina as Grand Patron of the NBA Garki Branch, strongly condemned the action of the Branch Chairman and reaffirmed its commitment to using its institutional power to fight corruption.