The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has formed a three-member committee to look into claims about the N100 million gift from the Imo State Government to the Owerri Branch of the NBA.
Ms Badejo-Okusanya, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, shared this information in a letter sent to the Chairman of Owerri Branch of the NBA, Mazi Udegbulem.
The letter, dated 14 October, was posted on her Facebook page on Thursday. In the letter, the NBA president acknowledged receiving two letters from the Owerri chairman. These letters addressed the leadership problem in Owerri and a request from 183 members for an Extraordinary General Meeting.
She mentioned that branch members had concerns about the need for a “clear account and fair examination” of the N100 million gift from the Imo State Government.
Ms Badejo-Okusanya stated that the meeting, which is set to start on Thursday at 2:00 p.m., should go on smoothly. She emphasized that members should be able to ask questions and get answers about their worries concerning 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 will include 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.
Ms Badejo-Okusanya added that the committee would check relevant financial records, gather input from involved individuals, and submit its findings and recommendations by 30 October.
She clarified that forming the committee does not mean any wrongdoing has been found against anyone involved in the issue.
The NBA president assured that everyone whose actions are being examined would be given a fair chance to respond to the claims before the committee makes any 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 her Facebook post.
“Accountability must go hand in hand with due process, and our response must sustain members’ confidence in the association.”
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