The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, has sworn in its Vice Chairman, Dr. Ekezie Onumajulu, as Acting Chairman following the impeachment of Prof. Mazi Udegbulem.
The swearing-in ceremony took place on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, barely 24 hours after members voted unanimously to remove Udegbulem at an Extraordinary General Meeting held at the branch’s Bar Centre.
A Notary Public and former Chairman of the branch, Nze J. I. Ogamba, administered the oath of office in the presence of other lawyers.
Onumajulu is expected to serve in an acting capacity for three months in line with the Uniform Bye-Laws for NBA Branches.
His emergence followed a resolution adopted at Tuesday’s meeting directing the Vice Chairman to take over the leadership of the branch after the impeachment.
According to the account of the meeting, all 215 members who participated in the vote supported Udegbulem’s removal, with none voting against the motion.
Dispute Over ₦100m Donation
The leadership crisis followed disagreements over the management of the ₦100 million donated to the branch by the Imo State Government under Governor Hope Uzodimma to support members’ participation in the 2026 NBA Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt.
A five-member investigative committee chaired by Chidi Nworka examined the receipt, management and disbursement of the funds.
In its report dated October 31, 2026, the committee accused Udegbulem and the Branch Treasurer, Olachi Madona Anosike, of financial mismanagement and alleged breaches of the NBA Constitution and Uniform Bye-Laws.
The report raised questions over ₦34 million allegedly disbursed to five recipients on the day the donation was received, about ₦42 million reportedly spent on conference logistics, and a separate ₦30 million allegedly received by the former chairman for solar panels and air conditioners.
It recommended an independent professional audit of the branch’s accounts and disciplinary proceedings against officers found responsible for any irregularities.
Udegbulem had denied financial wrongdoing, maintaining that the money was paid into the branch’s official account and used for conference activities, infrastructure projects and members’ welfare. He also challenged the impartiality of the investigative committee and instituted court proceedings over its activities.
New Leadership Takes Over
At the meeting that approved his removal, members adopted the investigative committee’s report and resolved that banks dealing with the branch should be notified not to honour financial instruments issued by the former chairman and treasurer.
They also directed that Udegbulem be removed as administrator of the branch’s WhatsApp platforms and called for disciplinary action against individuals accused of disrupting branch proceedings.
Onumajulu’s inauguration marks a change in leadership as the branch seeks to manage the fallout from the financial controversy and restore stability to its affairs.
He is expected to oversee the branch for the three-month period prescribed for an acting chairman under the applicable NBA bye-laws.
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