By Nnochiri Ikechukwu
The selection of an ex-convict as a Grand Patron of its Garki branch in Abuja was denounced by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Friday.
The legal group called the selection of Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, who was found guilty of stealing more over N2 billion in pension money, as a patron of its chapter contemptuous in a statement signed by its president, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN.
The NBA declared that it would start disciplinary action against Mr. Bamidele Ojo, the chairman of its Garki branch, claiming that the appointment was a mockery of the legal profession and the battle against corruption.
The association promised to take robust and decisive institutional action against any behavior that compromises its integrity, accountability, and respect for the legal system in addition to demanding the immediate removal of the appointment.
“The Nigerian Bar Association views with contempt the alleged appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina, who was found guilty of stealing more than N2 billion in pension funds, as ‘Grand Patron of NBA Garki Branch’ by NBA Garki Branch Chairman Anthony Bamidele Ojo,” the statement stated.
The alleged appointment not only denigrates the NBA and the legal profession, but it also mocks the government’s efforts to combat corruption and the Association’s goal of upholding the rule of law.
The Chairman’s choice to comment on Abdulrasheed Maina’s appeal, which is presently thought to be pending in the Supreme Court, was as abhorrent.
“The NBA respects Mr. Maina’s right to pursue an appeal against the conviction, but the Bar will not, under any circumstances, comment on such an appeal or appear to be attempting to influence public opinion in his favor.
“These acts depict NBA Chairman Garki and, in fact, anybody who supported his heinous acts as endorsing corrupt tactics.
“When the Bar supports, condones, or does not take decisive action to eradicate corruption and corrupt practices, it is failing in her duty to society and the cause of justice.
“The Association will not, under any pretense, use its platform, name, or institutional credibility to sway public opinion or legal procedures about matters that are pending, nor will it take any actions that could be interpreted as defaming anyone found guilty of a crime. Any attempt to do so is an outright insult to the rule of law and a serious breach of professional ethics.
In light of the aforementioned, Mr. Bamidele Ojo, the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch, is hereby instructed to immediately revoke any alleged appointment of Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina as a patron of the Branch and to immediately stop making statements, remarks, or representations on behalf of or in support of Mr. Maina or any other litigant with regard to cases that are still pending in court.
The NBA considers this behavior to be a grave violation of institutional discipline and professional accountability.
As a result, the Chairman of the NBA Garki Branch will face disciplinary action for conduct that violate the NBA Constitution, the Rules of Professional Conduct, and the fundamental principles of the legal profession.
The Nigerian Bar Association’s core values are integrity, accountability, respect for the legal system, and maintaining public trust in the legal profession.
“Any behavior that compromises these values will be met with a firm and clear institutional response.
Therefore, the NBA denies that Abdulrasheed Maina was appointed as the “Grand Patron of NBA Garki Branch” by Anthony Bamidele Ojo, the Branch Chairman. The NBA reaffirms that the Bar must use its authority to combat corruption and vehemently denounces his acts.
Recall that on November 8, 2021, the Federal High Court in Abuja found Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, the former Chairman of the now-defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), guilty of money laundering and sentenced him to eight years in prison.
In a ruling rendered by Justice Okon Abang, the court determined that Maina and his business, Common Input Property and Investment Limited, were convicted on all 12 counts of the accusation brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to Justice Abang, the punishment will take effect concurrently on October 25, 2019, the day the defendants were arraigned.
After directing Maina and his company to surrender approximately N2.1 billion that could be linked to their bank accounts and an additional $223, 396, 30 to the Federal Government, he ordered the company to be wound up.
In addition, it mandated that Maina’s two preferred residences in Abuja’s Lifecamp and Jabi districts be forfeited to the government and that a bulletproof automobile and an exotic BMW 5 Series car discovered on the convict’s property be auctioned off.
Justice Abang emphasized that he was impressed by Maina’s request for mercy even though the law stipulated a maximum punishment of 14 years for the offense committed by the defendants.
On October 7, 2021, the court found Maina’s son Faisal guilty of money laundering and sentenced him to 14 years in jail.
Wearing an NBA muffler that recognized him as the association’s grand patron, Maina, who was just freed from prison after serving his sentence, had a press conference on Thursday.
