Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ahamba, has called on the national leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to intervene in the lingering crisis rocking its Owerri Branch, declaring that the situation has reached an emergency level.
Ahamba, a former chairman of the branch, reportedly walked out of a recent meeting after expressing dissatisfaction with the conduct of proceedings and the manner in which the branch chairman, Prof. Mazi Udegbulem, allegedly controlled members’ contributions.
The dispute is linked to the management of ₦100 million donated to the branch by the Imo State Government, with disagreements also emerging over investigative committees, the chairman’s possible removal and pending court cases.
Ahamba accused the branch chairman of selectively recognising members and ruling out contributions considered inconvenient.
He said he would not continue participating in meetings where, in his view, decisions had been made before deliberations began.
“I will not be party to staying in a meeting where what should be done has been decided before coming to the meeting,” he was quoted as saying.
The senior lawyer urged the NBA’s national leadership to intervene, insisting that the dispute could no longer be resolved within the Owerri Branch.
“This matter cannot be settled by the Owerri Bar. I appeal to the National Executive to know that there is a state of emergency here,” he said.
Dispute over ₦100m donation
The crisis intensified in September following questions about the receipt, management and expenditure of the ₦100 million government donation.
A former branch secretary, Chinedu Agu, reportedly petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), requesting an investigation into the handling of the funds.
The disagreement also prompted 183 branch members to call for an Extraordinary General Meeting to consider the financial and leadership issues.
An initial attempt to hold the meeting on October 10 was unsuccessful after members reportedly found the entrance to the Bar Centre at the Magistrates’ Court Complex in Owerri locked, with police officers stationed around the premises.
NBA President Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, subsequently constituted a three-member committee of national officers to examine the receipt, management and expenditure of the donation.
The committee, comprising the NBA General Secretary, Afam Okeke; Third Vice-President, Iniobong Irene Pepple; and National Treasurer, Esther Jimoh, was directed to review relevant documents, receive representations and submit its findings.
The president stressed that the investigation did not amount to a finding of wrongdoing against any person and that those whose conduct was questioned must be given an opportunity to respond.
The Extraordinary General Meeting eventually held on October 15. Members reportedly disagreed over whether Udegbulem should preside, as the issues under consideration concerned his leadership and the disputed funds.
The meeting subsequently dissolved a committee earlier set up by the branch chairman and constituted another five-member panel, chaired by Chidi Nworka, to investigate the donation and its expenditure.
The question of the chairman’s removal was deferred to a later meeting, in line with the applicable notice requirements.
The branch leadership has maintained that the donation was paid into its official bank account and not a personal account. Udegbulem has also questioned the scope and authority of the various investigative processes.
Ahamba’s call for national intervention has added to pressure on the NBA leadership to resolve the dispute, which continues to divide members of the Owerri Branch.
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