– Members Accuse Chairman Of Using N26M To Install Solar Lights At Secretariat
A fresh controversy has hit the Owerri Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) following allegations surrounding the disbursement of funds reportedly donated by the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, to enable NBA branches in the state to participate actively in the recent NBA conference held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
It was gathered that Governor Uzodinma reportedly donated N350 million to NBA branches in Imo State in connection with the conference. While members of some branches were allegedly given a share of the funds, members of the Owerri Branch claimed that they were neither informed about the receipt of the money nor given any portion of it.
According to a lawyer who spoke on condition of anonymity, members of the Owerri Branch were unaware that N100 million had reportedly been allocated to the branch for the conference, while their counterparts in other branches were allegedly given N500,000 each.
The controversy reportedly came to a head at a recent meeting of the Owerri Branch, where the branch chairman, Dr Mazi Udegbulem, was confronted over the funds.
According to the source, the chairman acknowledged receiving the money but explained that N26 million had been used to install solar lighting at the branch secretariat.
The explanation reportedly triggered a heated dispute among members and subsequently culminated in an attempt to impeach the chairman.
However, the process has itself become contentious, with allegations that the impeachment did not follow due process because the chairman was not given the mandatory two-week notice required under the NBA Constitution.
The impeachment was consequently said to have been declared null and void.
The development has reportedly deepened divisions within the Owerri Branch, with members demanding greater transparency and accountability over the management and expenditure of funds belonging to the branch.
