The Nigerian Bar Association has expressed concern over the appointment of the convicted former chairman of the Pension Reform Task Force, Abdulrasheed Maina as the Grand Patron of the Garki branch of the association.
In a strong-worded statement issued on Friday, the NBA described such action as a disgrace to the legal profession.
Signed by Afam Osigwe, the president of the NBA, the statement also said Maina’s appointment by the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, Mr Anthony Ojo represents a mockery of the ongoing fight against corruption.
Recall that Maina was convicted by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja in 2021 for stealing N2 billion from the pension fund account.
Sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment, the Appeal Court upheld the decision of the lower Court following his conviction on a 12-count money laundering charge.
Further addressing the appointment, Osigwe said the role given to Maina by Ojo portrays the association as endorsing corrupt practises even though the former pension boss’s application against his conviction is pending at the Supreme Court.
“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.
“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 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,” Osigwe said.
He further directed Ojo to as a matter of urgency, withdraw the controversial appointment and desist from making statements or representations that portray the NBA in support of any litigant in respect of cases pending before the courts.
“In view of the foregoing, the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, Mr. Bamidele Ojo, is hereby directed to immediately withdraw any purported appointment of Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina as a Patron of the Branch and to forthwith 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.
“Any conduct that undermines these principles will attract firm and decisive institutional response,” he added.