NBA Slams Abuja Branch for Shocking Appointment of Convicted Abdulrasheed Maina

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly criticised the alleged appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina as Grand Patron of its Garki Branch in Abuja, describing the move as unethical and harmful to the integrity of the legal profession.

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In a statement signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA noted that Maina was convicted of stealing more than ₦2 billion in pension funds, stressing that linking the Association with a person found guilty of corruption undermines the rule of law and weakens Nigeria’s anti-corruption drive.

The Association also expressed displeasure with the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, Anthony Bamidele Ojo, who reportedly announced the appointment and made comments regarding Maina’s appeal, which is said to be pending before the Supreme Court.

The NBA emphasised that although Maina is entitled to pursue all legal avenues of appeal, the Bar must not comment on or appear to influence matters that are sub judice.

According to the Association, the actions of the Garki Branch chairman create the impression of endorsing corrupt practices and run contrary to the core values and ethical standards of the legal profession.

The NBA further stated that it would not permit its name, platform, or institutional credibility to be used in any way that could be seen as rehabilitating the image of individuals convicted of criminal offences.

As a result, the Association directed Ojo to immediately withdraw the purported appointment of Maina as a patron of the branch and to refrain from issuing any statements or representations in support of him or any other litigant with cases still before the courts.

“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.

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,” part of the statement read.