Former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, Mr. Chinedu Agu, has raised fresh allegations concerning the management of the Branch’s funds, claiming that ₦22 million left its account through two separate POS transactions on August 24, 2026, the same day the money was allegedly received.
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Agu, a human rights lawyer and activist, made the claims in a statement dated October 19, 2026, issued at 9:54 p.m. in response to a press conference held earlier that day by the Chairman of NBA Owerri Branch, Prof. Mazi Udegbulem.
Agu was one of the two lawyers named in the requisition that culminated in the Extraordinary General Meeting of the Branch, where members reportedly constituted a committee to examine issues surrounding the Branch’s finances.
The allegations contained in Agu’s statement have not been tested or established, and the Chairman’s response to the specific claims concerning the alleged ₦22 million transactions was not available at the time of filing this report.
Agu said he was concerned about both the substance of the Chairman’s press conference and the manner in which it was organised, alleging that it took place at the NUJ Press Centre rather than the Bar Centre and without the knowledge or participation of most elected members of the Branch Executive Committee.
According to him, only the Treasurer, Ola Anosike, attended from among the elected Executive members.
“The Vice Chairman was not there. The Secretary was not there. The Publicity Secretary, who ordinarily should coordinate such a press conference, was not there. The Financial Secretary, Social Secretary and Provost were equally absent. In fact, not a single member of his Exco was present, except the Treasurer,” Agu stated.
He also questioned the decision to hold the briefing outside the Bar Centre.
“Curiously, the Chairman chose to hold this press conference at the NUJ House rather than at the Bar Centre,” he said.
Agu further alleged that there were indications the Chairman might not appear before the committee constituted by the Branch following the Extraordinary General Meeting, although he did not provide documentary confirmation that the Chairman had formally declined to appear.
He said the controversy should not distract members from their demand for accountability over the Branch’s finances.
“Our eyes remain firmly fixed on our collective resolve and demand for accountability. No amount of distraction, however loudly trumpeted or widely circulated, will divert our attention from that demand,” he said.
Agu then raised what he described as “very serious allegations” concerning ₦22 million which he said left the Branch’s account through two POS transactions of ₦12 million and ₦10 million.
“However, there are very serious allegations surrounding the ₦22 million said to have left the Branch’s account through two separate POS services, in tranches of ₦12 million and ₦10 million, same 24 August 2026 when the money entered the account,” he stated.
He alleged that the money was subsequently distributed among three persons, identifying one alleged recipient in his original statement while withholding the identities of two others.
TheNigeriaLawyer is withholding the name of the person identified by Agu pending an opportunity for a response.
Agu claimed that ₦10 million went to one individual, another ₦10 million to a second person whom he chose not to identify publicly, while ₦2 million allegedly went to what he described as a high-ranking member of the lower Bench.
“These are grave allegations that deserve thorough investigation,” he said.
He further alleged that the three individuals played roles in efforts to frustrate the requisitioned meeting held the previous week and accused unidentified persons of attempting to divert attention from the financial questions confronting the Branch.
Those claims also remain allegations and have not been independently established.
Agu maintained that he would continue demanding accountability regardless of what he described as threats, arrests, prosecution or personal attacks.
“As for me, Chinedu Agu, no amount of propaganda, personal attacks, detention, remand, prosecution, arrest, threats of arrest or invitations of whatever description will distract me from the pursuit of accountability,” he said.
He concluded by directly challenging the Branch Chairman to make the relevant financial records available.
“Prof. Mazi, our eyes are still on the target: submit all statement of accounts and account for our money,” Agu stated.
The latest exchange comes amid an escalating dispute within NBA Owerri Branch over allegations surrounding its finances and governance.
Agu’s statement also referred to the Branch Chairman’s alleged description of members as “disgruntled” and his criticism of Vice Chairman Chidi Nworka over alleged insubordination, assertions which Agu rejected.
He questioned what conduct amounted to insubordination and argued that the controversy surrounding the Branch should be addressed through transparency and scrutiny of the relevant financial records rather than personal exchanges.
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