NBA Slams Maina’s Appointment as Branch Patron
By Ranti Thomas
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed strong condemnation over the purported appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina, the former Pension Reform Task Force chairman convicted of corruption, as Grand Patron of its Garki Branch. The association described the alleged move as a “disgrace” to the legal profession and a direct affront to ongoing anti-corruption efforts in the country.
In a statement released on Friday, NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) stated that the association viewed with “disdain” the alleged appointment reportedly made by the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, Mr. Anthony Ojo.
Maina was convicted in 2021 by the Federal High Court in Abuja for the misappropriation of over N2 billion in pension funds and sentenced to eight years in prison. His conviction was upheld in May 2023 by the Court of Appeal following a 12-count money laundering charge.
“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,” the NBA statement partly read.
The association also condemned remarks allegedly made by Ojo regarding Maina’s pending appeal at the Supreme Court. While affirming Maina’s constitutional right to exhaust all legal remedies, the NBA stressed it would not influence public opinion on sub judice matters.
“Equally reprehensible was the decision of the Chairman to make comments about Abdulrasheed Maina’s appeal… These actions portray the Chairman of NBA Garki and any person who endorsed such conduct as condoning corrupt practices,” the statement said.
The NBA warned that any attempt to sanitize the image of a convicted criminal constitutes a grave violation of professional ethics. “The Bar 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,” the statement added.
Consequently, the NBA directed Ojo to immediately withdraw any purported appointment of Maina as Patron of the branch and to desist from issuing statements or representations in his support. The association also confirmed that disciplinary proceedings would be initiated against the Garki Branch chairman for conduct inconsistent with the NBA Constitution and professional ethics.
“In view of the foregoing, the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, Mr. Anthony 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.
Reaffirming its commitment to integrity and accountability, the NBA reiterated that any actions undermining these principles would attract decisive institutional responses.