The Nigerian Bar Association has criticised the appointment of a former convict, Abdulrasheed Maina, as Grand Patron of its Garki Branch in Abuja, describing the move as deeply inappropriate and damaging to the integrity of the legal profession.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the association described the purported appointment as disdainful, noting that Maina was convicted for looting over N2 billion in pension funds.
The NBA said the action undermines the credibility of the Bar and ridicules the country’s anti-corruption efforts.
The association announced that it would commence disciplinary proceedings against the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, Mr. Bamidele Ojo, while also demanding the immediate withdrawal of the appointment. It stressed that it would take firm institutional steps against any conduct that threatens its integrity, accountability and respect for the judicial process.
“The Nigerian Bar Association views with disdain the purported appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina, who was convicted for stealing over N2 billion in pension funds, as ‘Grand Patron of NBA Garki Branch’ by the Chairman of NBA Garki Branch, Anthony Bamidele Ojo,” the statement said.
According to the NBA, “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, as well as the Association’s motto of promoting the rule of law.”
The body further criticised comments allegedly made by the branch chairman regarding Maina’s appeal, which is believed to be pending before the Supreme Court. While affirming Maina’s right to exhaust his appeal, the NBA said it would not comment on or be perceived as influencing any matter that is sub judice.
“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 association stated.
The NBA warned that such conduct portrays those involved as condoning corruption, adding that the legal profession fails society when it encourages or overlooks corrupt practices. It insisted that the Bar would not allow its platform or institutional credibility to be used to launder the image of anyone convicted of criminal offences.
The association directed the Garki Branch chairman to immediately withdraw the appointment and to desist from making statements or representations in support of Maina or any other litigant with cases pending in court. It described the development as a serious breach of professional responsibility and confirmed that disciplinary proceedings would follow.
Reiterating its core values, the NBA said integrity, accountability and respect for the judicial process remain non-negotiable and warned that any conduct undermining public confidence in the legal profession would attract decisive sanctions.
The NBA also formally disclaimed the appointment, strongly condemning the actions of the Garki Branch leadership and restating its commitment to using its influence to combat corruption.
Maina, a former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 8, 2021. Justice Okon Abang sentenced him to eight years imprisonment for money laundering after finding him guilty on all 12 counts brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against him and his company, Common Input Property and Investment Limited.
The court ordered the forfeiture of about N2.1 billion and $223,396.30 traced to Maina and his firm, alongside the forfeiture of properties in Lifecamp and Jabi areas of Abuja, as well as luxury vehicles recovered from him. The sentence was ordered to run concurrently from October 25, 2019, the date of his arraignment.
Justice Abang noted that although the offence carried a maximum sentence of 14 years, he was influenced by Maina’s plea for mercy. Maina’s son, Faisal, was also convicted and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment on October 7, 2021, for money laundering.
Maina, who was recently released after completing his prison term, appeared at a press briefing on Thursday wearing an NBA muffler identifying him as a grand patron of the association, a development that sparked public outrage.
What you should know
The Nigerian Bar Association is the umbrella body for legal practitioners in Nigeria and is expected to uphold the highest ethical standards.
Abdulrasheed Maina’s conviction remains one of Nigeria’s most high-profile pension fraud cases, involving billions of naira meant for retirees. His reported association with an NBA branch raised serious concerns about professional ethics, public trust and the rule of law.
The NBA’s swift condemnation signals its determination to protect its institutional integrity and reaffirm its stance against corruption within and outside the legal profession.
