The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the chairman of the association’s Garki branch in Abuja, Anthony Ojo, for naming an ex-convict, Abdulrasheed Maina, as the branch’s grand patron.

The NBA, in a statement issued by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), said the development not only paints the legal profession and the group in a bad light, but it also makes a mockery of the government’s fight against corruption, as well as the association’s motto of promoting the rule of law.

Maina, the Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), was convicted along with his company, Common Input Property and Investment Limited, on money laundering charges by a Federal High Court in Abuja in a judgment delivered on November 8, 2021.

The court sentenced him to eight years’ imprisonment, which should run from October 25, 2019, when he was first arraigned, and ordered his company to be wound up.

Maina and his firm were also ordered to forfeit about N2.1 billion traced to their bank accounts, as well as another sum of $223, 396, 30, to the Federal Government.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of Maina’s two choice properties at Lifecamp and Jabi districts of Abuja to the government, as well as the auction of a bulletproof car and a BMW 5 Series exotic car found in his house in Abuja.

Maina has since served his term and was recently released by the prison authorities in Abuja.

Osigwe said, in his statement, that it was also reprehensible that Ojo made comments about Maina’s appeal, which is currently believed to be pending at the Supreme Court.

Part of the statement reads, “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.

“These actions 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 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 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.

“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 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 views this conduct as 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 are foundational values of the Nigerian Bar Association.

“Any conduct that undermines these principles will attract firm and decisive institutional response.

“The NBA therefore disclaims the purported appointment of Abdulrasheed Maina as ‘Grand Patron of NBA Garki branch’ by the Chairman of the Branch, Anthony Bamidele Ojo.

“The NBA strongly condemns his actions and reiterates that the Bar must use its power to stop corruption.” (The Nation)