Citing Abdulrasheed Maina's conviction for embezzling more than N2 billion in pension funds, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) ordered the immediate revocation of the Patron designation granted by the NBA Garki Branch to the former Chairman of the now-defunct Pension Reform Task Team. NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, made the announcement in a statement on 23rd January 2026. The NBA claims that the decision was made in response to news that Maina had been named "Grand Patron of the NBA Garki Branch," Abuja, a move that the national leadership deemed detrimental to the legal profession and the fight against corruption.
Additionally, the NBA leadership stressed that officials engaged in the appointment will face disciplinary action. The NBA President described the alleged appointment of Maina as a mockery of the legal profession and the rule of law and stated that the Association views it with contempt.
“Purportedly appointing a person convicted of stealing and money laundering or corrupt practices as Patron of any Branch of the NBA makes a mockery of the legal profession and the fight against corruption.” “Equally reprehensible was the decision of the Chairman to make comments about Abdulrasheed Maina’s appeal, currently believed to be pending at the Supreme Court.”
“While the NBA respects Mr. Maina’s right to exhaust his right of appeal against the conviction, the Bar will not, under any guise, comment on such an appeal or be seen to attempt to sway public opinion in his favour,” he added.
According to Osigwe, the development depicts the NBA Garki Branch Chairman and others who supported the appointment as apparently endorsing corrupt acts.