1 hour ago
1
The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has condemned the purported appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina as Grand Patron of its Garki Branch in Abuja, describing the move as unethical and damaging to the image of the legal profession.
In a statement signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA said Maina was convicted for stealing over ₦2 billion in pension funds and that associating the Bar with a person convicted of corruption undermines the rule of law and the country’s anti-corruption efforts.
The Association expressed displeasure with the Chairman of NBA Garki Branch, Anthony Bamidele Ojo, who allegedly announced the appointment and also made comments concerning Maina’s appeal, which is believed to be pending before the Supreme Court.
The NBA stressed that while Maina has the right to exhaust his appeals, the Bar must not comment on, or appear to influence, matters that are sub judice.
According to the NBA, the action of the Garki Branch chairman gives the impression of condoning corrupt practices and violates the core values and ethical standards of the legal profession.
The Association said it would not allow its name, platform, or institutional credibility to be used in a manner that could be perceived as sanitising the image of any person convicted of criminal offences.
Consequently, the NBA directed Ojo to immediately withdraw the purported appointment of Maina as a patron of the branch and to cease issuing any statements or representations in support of him or any other litigant with cases pending in court.
“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.
NBA fumes as Abuja branch appoints convicted Abdulrasheed Maina ‘Grand Patron’
