Former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, Chinedu Agu, has alleged that Branch Chairman Dr. Mazi Udegbulem directed the Administrative Secretary to stop receiving correspondence from anyone. Agu said he was informed of the instruction on Monday, September 28, when he returned to the Bar Centre to submit a motion seeking the Chairman’s removal.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
In a statement issued at 2:30 p.m., Agu said he had earlier submitted two letters addressed to the Branch Chairman and Secretary through the Administrative Secretary at about 9:40 a.m. One sought statements for every bank account operated by NBA Owerri from July 6, 2026, to the date the statements are generated. It also sought receipts, invoices, payment vouchers and other documents supporting expenditure on the Bar Centre. He said the Branch Secretary, Treasurer and Financial Secretary were copied.
“The second letter requests for audio and visual record of the NBA Owerri Hybrid Meeting held on Saturday,” Agu said.
Recounting what happened later that day, he stated: “At about 1:00 p.m. today, I returned to the Bar Centre to submit the proposal/motion seeking the removal of the Chairman, having obtained the signatures of five financially up-to-date members as required.”
Agu alleged that the Administrative Secretary, Dorcas Onyemechara, then told him “that the Chairman had instructed her not to receive any further correspondence from anybody henceforth.” He said the Branch Treasurer was present when Onyemechara made the statement.
“Consequently, I had to proceed, in the company of Ike Augustine and Iyke Umah, to the Law Office of the Branch Secretary, Ikenna Ujah, where the proposal/motion was eventually submitted,” he said.
The latest account follows Saturday’s NBA Owerri hybrid meeting, which Agu referred to in his request for its audio and visual record. His statement also recalled unresolved allegations concerning the management and expenditure of Branch funds. It did not set out the allegations or make a finding about how the funds were spent.
Agu expressed concern that correspondence connected with those issues might be hindered. “These developments raise serious concerns about transparency, accountability and the proper functioning of the administrative processes of the Branch,” he said.
He also returned to an issue from the September General Meeting held two days earlier. According to Agu, the budget presented by the Treasurer at that meeting had still not been uploaded to NBA Owerri’s WhatsApp platforms for members to examine, despite an understanding reached at the meeting. He said he had drawn the Treasurer’s attention to the matter on Sunday morning.
Addressing calls for forgiveness and reconciliation within the Branch, Agu said: “However, reconciliation must go hand in hand with accountability, transparency and respect for the institutions and procedures of the Bar.”
“Members should be allowed access to relevant financial information so that the issues raised can be considered objectively and on the basis of verifiable records,” he added.
Agu opened his statement with an Igbo proverb: “Onye ana agwo ibi, afo ana eto ya aghaghi ihu ihe o na acho na oke ohia.” He concluded that the events in the Branch deserved the attention of members who value “transparency, due process and institutional accountability.”
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
