Muritala Abdul-Rasheed, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has called for the immediate resignation of Afam Osigwe, the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), due to alleged ethical violations and issues relating to undisclosed funds.
This demand follows accusations regarding payments made to senior advocates who attended the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the NBA earlier this month in Maiduguri, Borno State.
In a statement distributed to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday, Abdul-Rasheed referenced a past financial transaction involving the Rivers State Government and claimed Osigwe displayed bias in the forthcoming NBA elections to reinforce his position.
The former publicity secretary of the NBA mentioned the controversy surrounding the allocation of N300 million from Rivers State intended for the 2025 Annual General Conference, emphasizing it as further evidence supporting his call for Osigwe's departure.
Abdul-Rasheed criticized Osigwe for allegedly stating he would not maintain neutrality in the 2026 elections, suggesting this compromises the integrity of the Association’s leadership. He noted that the tenures of Osigwe and other national officers conclude in August, with the NBA elections scheduled for July.
He articulated that the new developments pose serious questions regarding transparency and institutional integrity, warning that neglecting these concerns might erode the NBA’s authority to address matters of governance, corruption, and the rule of law.
Abdul-Rasheed also stated, "The disconcerting revelations arising from the Maiduguri NEC meeting, along with the ongoing patterns of financial conduct, necessitate prompt action from the legal community to uphold its integrity."
He elaborated that the situation is not merely about one officeholder's reputation but threatens the overall moral standing of the Nigerian Bar Association, an institution claiming authority in matters of ethical governance and accountability throughout Nigeria.
In his assertions, Abdul-Rasheed alleged that the Borno State Government provided each senior advocate present at the NEC meeting with $2,000 as an "attendance fee," which was not offered to other delegate categories, such as branch chairpersons or young lawyers.
He pointed out that there is no official NBA policy allowing third-party payments, particularly from a state government, to be disbursed to selective participants at statutory association meetings. He insisted that the NBA embraces a transparency policy that mandates complete disclosure and transfer of any gifts or financial benefits into the association’s treasury.
Questioning the use of foreign currency for such payments, Abdul-Rasheed sought clarification on whether this expenditure was documented in the Borno State Appropriation Law, claiming that the NBA leadership had not disclosed information regarding the funds or confirmed their deposit into the association’s account.
He praised an unnamed senior lawyer who reportedly returned the funds to the NBA's domiciliary account, noting it as an ethical standard.
Abdul-Rasheed referred back to a 2009 incident during Rotimi Akeredolu's presidency when monetary gifts from the Akwa Ibom State governor were properly disclosed and reviewed by a panel, concluding that all such gifts should be remitted to the NBA treasury, establishing a crucial ethical precedent for the Association.
Additionally, he further reiterated his concerns regarding Osigwe's alleged favoritism in the upcoming elections and a broader pattern of unethical behavior undermining the presidency's credibility.
He urged the recipients of the Maiduguri NECA meeting payments to refund the amounts to the NBA treasury and called for full public disclosure regarding all funds related to official NBA activities. Additionally, he asked the NBA’s Board of Trustees, the Body of Benchers, and the Attorney-General to intervene in the matter.
Abdul-Rasheed warned that ignoring the allegations could significantly harm the NBA’s standing concerning governance and corruption issues.
When contacted, Osigwe dismissed the allegations stating that he had not received any payments at the Maiduguri NEC meeting and clarified that the Borno State Government's payments were not his concern. He emphasized that there was no such thing as an "attendance fee" and that logistical arrangements were made by the local NBA branch and the state government.
On the matter of the N300 million from Rivers State, Osigwe affirmed that all funds were thoroughly accounted for in the NBA's audited records. He explained that funds provided by Rivers State and other individuals were properly reflected in their financial accounts, which noted an excess of over a billion Naira in their holdings post-conference.
Osigwe also remarked that accounts are typically rendered only after events are completed, rejecting claims of nondisclosure. He accused detractors of attempting to undermine the integrity of the NBA due to personal favoritism towards a particular candidate.
He insisted that he has borne all costs related to his travels and has never accepted personal benefits from government funds, wrapping up his defense by asserting that the allegations against him are politically charged and aimed at damaging both his reputation and that of the NBA leadership.
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