NBA Disowns Alleged Appointment of Convicted Ex-Pension Boss, Maina, as Patron

Femi Ashekun/

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has firmly disowned the purported appointment of former pension reform boss, Abdulrasheed Maina, as Grand Patron of its Garki Branch, describing the move as “a mockery of the legal profession and the fight against corruption”.

The issue sparked widespread outrage on social media on Tuesday, with the matter trending on X, after reports emerged that the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, Anthony Bamidele Ojo, had allegedly named Maina, who was convicted for stealing over N2 billion in pension funds, as a patron of the branch.

In a strongly worded statement signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA said it viewed the action “with disdain”, stressing that such conduct gravely undermines the rule of law and public confidence in the legal profession.

“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 statement read.

According to the Association, the alleged 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 also condemned comments reportedly made by the branch chairman regarding Maina’s appeal, which is believed to be pending before the Supreme Court.

“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,” the NBA said, while emphasising that although it respects Maina’s right to exhaust his appeals, “the Bar will NOT under any guise comment on such an appeal or be seen to try to sway public opinion in his favour”.

Reacting to the broader implications of the controversy, the NBA warned that any conduct suggesting tolerance for corruption strikes at the heart of its professional duty.

“These actions portray the Chairman of NBA Garki and, indeed, any person who endorsed his putrid actions as condoning corrupt practices,” the statement said. “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.”

The Association further made it clear that it would not allow its platform or reputation to be used to influence public opinion or judicial proceedings.

“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,” it stated.

In a decisive move, the NBA directed the Garki Branch chairman to immediately reverse the alleged appointment.

“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 statement said.

The Association also announced that disciplinary action would follow.

“The NBA views this conduct as a serious breach of professional responsibility and institutional discipline. 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 added.

Reaffirming its core values, the NBA stressed that “integrity, accountability, respect for the judicial process, and the preservation of public confidence in the legal profession are foundational values of the Nigerian Bar Association”, warning that “any conduct that undermines these principles will attract firm and decisive institutional response”.

The Association formally distanced itself from the development, stating: “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.”