The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has constituted a three-member committee to investigate allegations of impropriety surrounding the receipt, management and disbursement of a ₦100 million gift from the Imo State Government to the association’s Owerri Branch.
The decision followed growing concerns among members of the branch, with 183 lawyers demanding an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to address questions surrounding the funds.
In a letter dated October 14, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of the NBA Owerri Branch, Dr. Mazi Udegbulem, the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, acknowledged receiving correspondence dated October 13 and 14 concerning the controversy and the proposed meeting.
The NBA President stated that the allegations surrounding the ₦100 million gift required a transparent investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding its receipt and disbursement.
According to the letter, members of the association must be given an opportunity to raise their concerns and receive satisfactory explanations in an atmosphere that promotes orderly discussion.
“The concerns raised about the receipt and disbursement of the ₦100 million gift from the Imo State Government require a clear account and a fair examination. Members must have an opportunity to raise their questions and receive answers,” the letter stated.
The three-member investigative committee comprises the NBA General Secretary, Mr. Afam Okeke; the NBA Third Vice-President, Mrs. Iniobong Irene Pepple; and the NBA Treasurer, Mrs. Esther Jimoh.
The committee has been mandated to investigate allegations of impropriety concerning the receipt, management and disbursement of the funds.
The NBA President also directed that the Extraordinary General Meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 2 p.m. should proceed as planned.
He explained that members of the committee would attend the meeting as his representatives to observe proceedings, ensure that a signed attendance register is maintained and issue necessary directives to guarantee an orderly meeting.
The Owerri Branch leadership was further instructed to facilitate the committee’s access to the meeting venue and provide full cooperation throughout the proceedings.
The development comes amid concerns within the NBA Owerri Branch over the management of the ₦100 million gift, with members seeking accountability and transparency in the handling of the funds.
The committee’s intervention is expected to provide an opportunity for the allegations to be examined and for concerned members to seek clarification on how the money was received, managed and disbursed.
