“Maina Is An ex-Convict, You Cannot Appoint Him Our Grand Patron”, NBA Fumes”

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Chairman, NBA, Garki Chapter, to face disciplinary action – Osigwe

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has expressed deep shock and concern over the appointment of convicted former Nigeria Pension Reforms Commission  Chairman, Abdulrasheed Maina, as a Grand Patron of the NBA, Garki branch.

A statement on Friday January 23, 2026 from Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the National President of the umbrella body of Nigeria’s legal practitioners, while condemning the appointment, described it as a serious mockery of the legal profession in the country.

According to him, appointing Maina who was  convicted and sentenced to eight years in jail on multiple count charges bordering on money laundering and mismanagement of pension funds tantamount to the NBA undermining the fight against corruption in the country.

The Source reports that Maina, a one-time powerful boss of the Pension Reforms Commission, was on November 8, 2021, convicted and sentenced by  a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Presiding Judge, Honourable Justice Okon Abang (now suspended) found Maina guilty of mismanaging, and embezzling over N2 billion pension funds.

The NBA national leadership said it views the appointment of a person with such a  tainted past as a Grand Patron of the umbrella body of legal practitioners in Nigeria not only  with disdain, but as a huge embarrassment.

While urging the Garki branch Chairman, Anthony Bamidele Ojo, to immediately withdraw  the appointment, Osigwe expressed the fears that such a development gravely questions the integrity and core values of the legal profession and NBA as a body.

The NBA noted that much as it respects Maina’s right to explore all the available judicial layers in his appeal against his conviction, it will, nevertheless, not want to be seen as trying to sway public opinion in his favour and be acting and commenting on a pending case.

The statement reads in part:

“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 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.

” 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.

“This action portray the Chairman of NBA Garki, and indeed, any person who endorsed his putrid actions as condoning corrupt practices.

“The Bar fails in her duties to the society, and the cause of justice when it condones, encourages ,and/ or fails to take definite actions to eliminate corruption and corrupt practices.

“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 subjudice, 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.

” 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.”

The NBA further stated that it views the Garki branch Chairman conduct a serious breach of professional responsibility and institutional discipline.

“Accordingly, disciplinary proceedings will be commenced against the Chairman of the NBA Garki branch for actions inconsistent with the Constitution of the NBA ,the Rules of Professional Conduct ,and the core values of the legal profession , integrity , accountability , respect for the judicial process and the preservation of public confidence in the legal profession and foundational values of the Nigerian Bar Association”, Osigwe added.