The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the purported appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina, a former pension reform boss convicted of corruption, as Grand Patron of its Garki Branch in Abuja, describing the move as unethical and injurious to the integrity of the legal profession.
In a statement signed by the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the Association noted that Maina was convicted for stealing over ₦2 billion in pension funds, stressing that any association between the Bar and a person convicted of corruption undermines the rule of law and Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
The NBA expressed particular displeasure with the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, Anthony Bamidele Ojo, who allegedly announced the appointment and made public comments concerning Maina’s appeal, which is reportedly pending before the Supreme Court.
According to the Association, while Maina is entitled to exhaust his appellate rights, the Bar must not comment on or appear to influence matters that are sub judice
“The actions of the Branch Chairman give the impression of condoning corrupt practices and fall far below the ethical standards expected of members of the legal profession,” the NBA said.
The Association warned that 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 Anthony Ojo to immediately withdraw the purported appointment of Maina as a patron of the branch and to desist from issuing any statements or representations in support of him or any other litigant with cases pending before the courts.
“These actions portray the Chairman of NBA Garki, and any person who endorsed such conduct, as condoning corrupt practices. The Bar fails in its duty to society when it condones, encourages, or fails to take decisive action against corruption. The Association will not, under any guise, lend its platform or credibility to influence public opinion or judicial proceedings in respect of matters that are sub judice, or to launder the image of persons convicted of criminal offences,” the statement added.