NBA probes Imo govt’s ‘N100 million gift’ to Owerri branch

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has set up a three-member committee to investigate allegations of impropriety surrounding the receipt and disbursement of N100 million gift from the Imo State Government to the Owerri Branch of the NBA.

Ms Badejo-Okusanya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, announced this in a letter forwarded to the Chairman of Owerri Branch of the NBA, Mazi Udegbulem.

In the letter dated 14 October and uploaded on her Facebook page on Thursday, the NBA president informed the Owerri chairman that he had received two of his letters concerning the leadership crisis in Owerri and the proposal by 183 members for an Extraordinary General Meeting.

She, however, told Mr Udegbulem that members of the branch also expressed concern and the need for a “clear account and fair examination” of the N100 million gift received by the branch from the Imo State Government.

Ms Badejo-Okusanya said the meeting, scheduled to begin on Thursday by 2:00 p.m., must proceed peacefully and that members should have an opportunity to raise questions and receive answers regarding their concerns over the gift.

“I am therefore constituting a three-member committee to investigate the allegations of impropriety concerning the receipt, management and disbursement of the gift,” she said.

The committee comprises the NBA General Secretary, Afam Okeke; Third Vice-President, Iniobong Pepple; and Treasurer, Esther Jimoh.

“They will observe the proceedings, ensure that a signed attendance register is taken and give such directions as may be necessary to secure an orderly meeting.

“Please facilitate access to the venue and accord the committee full cooperation,” the NBA president told the branch chairman.

What the committee will do

Ms Badejo-Okusanya said the committee would examine relevant financial records, receive representations from the individuals concerned and submit its findings and recommendations no later than 30 October.

She said the constitution of the committee should not be interpreted as a finding of wrongdoing against any individual involved in the matter.

The NBA leader assured that everyone whose conduct was being probed would be given a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations before the committee reached conclusions.

“As president of the Nigerian Bar Association, I remain committed to ensuring that concerns raised by members are addressed through a fair, transparent and orderly process,” she said in the Facebook post. 

“Accountability must go hand in hand with due process, and our response must sustain members’ confidence in the association.”