The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the purported appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina as grand patron of the NBA Garki branch.
In a statement on Friday signed by Afam Osigwe, its president, the NBA said it viewed with “disdain” the decision by Anthony Bamidele Ojo, chairman of the NBA Garki branch in Abuja, to allegedly appoint Maina, who was convicted for stealing over N2 billion in pension funds.
He described the move as one that “paints the legal profession and the NBA in a bad light” and makes a mockery of the fight against corruption.
The association also criticised comments reportedly made by the branch chairman concerning Maina’s appeal, which is believed to be pending before the supreme court.
“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 reads.
The NBA warned that the actions of the Garki Branch chairman and anyone who endorsed the appointment portray them as “condoning corrupt practices”, adding that the Bar fails in its duty to society when it “condones, encourages, and or fails to take definite actions to eliminate corruption”.
“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,” the NBA said.
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It directed Ojo to immediately withdraw the purported appointment and to “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 NBA announced that disciplinary proceedings would be commenced against the chairman of the Garki branch for actions inconsistent with the NBA constitution, the rules of professional conduct, and the core values of the legal profession.
“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,” the statement said.
“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.”
