The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the purported appointment of former Pension Reform Task Force chairman, Abdulrasheed Maina, as Grand Patron of the NBA Garki Branch, saying the move has brought the legal profession into disrepute and undermined the fight against corruption.
The Association, in a statement issued on Friday and signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, said it viewed with “disdain” the alleged appointment reportedly made by the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, Mr. Bamidele Ojo.
Maina was convicted in 2021 by the Federal High Court in Abuja for stealing over N2 billion in pension funds and was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment. The conviction followed a 12-count charge bordering on money laundering.
In May 2023, the Court of Appeal affirmed the conviction and sentence in a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel, which said it found no reason to set aside the judgment of the trial court.
Reacting, the NBA said the purported appointment not only portrayed the Association in a bad light but also ran contrary to its core values.
“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 statement partly read.
The Association also faulted comments allegedly made by the Garki Branch chairman regarding Maina’s appeal, which is believed to be pending before the Supreme Court.
While acknowledging Maina’s constitutional right to exhaust all available legal remedies, the NBA stressed that it would not, under any circumstances, comment on or attempt to influence public opinion on matters that are sub judice.
“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.
“These actions portray the Chairman of NBA Garki and any person who endorsed such conduct as condoning corrupt practices,” the NBA said.
According to the Association, the Bar fails in its duty to society whenever it condones or appears to encourage corruption.
The NBA further warned that any action perceived as sanitising the image of a person convicted of criminal offences amounts to a grave violation of professional ethics.
“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 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.
“Any attempt to do so constitutes a grave violation of professional ethics and a direct affront to the rule of law,” the statement added.
Consequently, the NBA directed the Garki Branch chairman to immediately withdraw the purported appointment of Maina as a patron of the branch and to desist from issuing statements or representations in support of any litigant in cases pending before the courts.
“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,” Osigwe stated.
The Association also disclosed that disciplinary proceedings would be initiated against the branch chairman for actions inconsistent with the NBA Constitution, the Rules of Professional Conduct, and the core values of the legal profession.
Reaffirming its position, the NBA formally disclaimed the alleged appointment and reiterated its commitment to integrity, accountability, and respect for the judicial process.
“Any conduct that undermines these principles will attract firm and decisive institutional response,” Osigwe added.
