The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the Patron appointment conferred on Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, by the NBA Garki Branch, Abuja.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, following reports that Maina had been named “Grand Patron of the NBA Garki Branch.” The national leadership described the development as deeply damaging to the integrity of the legal profession and Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
The NBA also warned that disciplinary action would be taken against branch officials involved in the appointment, stressing that the Association would not lend its credibility to individuals convicted of criminal offences.
NBA Condemns Appointment
Reacting to the development, Osigwe said the Association views the purported appointment with utter disdain, describing it as a mockery of the legal profession and the rule of law.
“Purportedly appointing a person convicted of stealing and money laundering or corrupt practices as Patron of any Branch of the NBA makes a mockery of the legal profession and the fight against corruption,” the NBA President said.
He further faulted comments allegedly made by the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch regarding Maina’s ongoing appeal.
“Equally reprehensible was the decision of the Chairman to make comments about Abdulrasheed Maina’s appeal, currently believed to be pending at the Supreme Court,” Osigwe added.
While affirming that the NBA respects Maina’s constitutional right to exhaust all legal remedies, the President stressed that the Bar would not, under any guise, comment on or appear to influence judicial proceedings.
“The NBA will not be seen to attempt to sway public opinion in favour of any person convicted of criminal offences,” he said.
Osigwe noted that the incident portrays the Branch Chairman and those who endorsed the appointment as allegedly condoning corrupt practices, a position the Association firmly rejects.
Background: Maina’s Conviction
Abdulrasheed Maina was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja over his role in the large-scale diversion of pension funds while serving as Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team.
The court found him guilty on multiple counts bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds, involving over ₦2 billion belonging to Nigerian pensioners. The case was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and became one of the most prominent pension fraud cases in Nigeria’s history.
Despite filing appeals against his conviction, the judgment of the trial court remains valid and enforceable pending the final determination of the case by the Supreme Court.
The NBA reiterated its commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards, the rule of law, and the fight against corruption, warning that any action capable of eroding public confidence in the legal profession would be decisively addressed.
The Association emphasized that no branch has the authority to confer honours or appointments that undermine the values and credibility of the Bar.