The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned what it described as a “disgraceful and unethical” move by the NBA Garki branch to appoint Abdulrasheed Maina, convicted former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Force, as it’s grand patron.
In a statement released on Friday, NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN) said the association views the alleged appointment with “disdain,” stressing that it undermines the integrity of the legal profession and the ongoing national fight against corruption.
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 in prison.
The Court of Appeal later upheld the conviction and sentence in May 2023.
The NBA said the purported appointment “makes a mockery of the government’s fight against corruption” and runs counter to the association’s mission to promote the rule of law.
“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,” the statement said.
The association also criticised comments allegedly made by the Garki branch Chairman, Mr. Anthony Ojo, about Maina’s pending appeal at the Supreme Court.
While the NBA acknowledged Maina’s right to appeal, it warned that the association would not comment on or seek to influence public opinion on cases 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,” the NBA said.
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The association said any attempt to use its platform to sanitise the image of a convicted person would amount to a serious breach 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 statement added.
The NBA directed the Garki branch chairman to immediately withdraw the alleged appointment and to stop issuing statements supporting any litigant in pending cases.
“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,” Osigwe said.
The association further warned that disciplinary action would be taken against the branch chairman for actions inconsistent with the NBA constitution and the rules of professional conduct.
The NBA reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the legal profession remains a bastion of integrity and accountability.
“Any conduct that undermines these principles will attract firm and decisive institutional response,” the statement concluded.
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