Following heightening tension, rancor and acrimony elicited by allegations of impropriety and lack of transparency in the disbursement of the one hundred million naira gift from the Governor of Imo State Hope Uzodinma, to the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Imo State chapter to enable members prepare for the NBA conference held in Port Harcourt the Rivers State capital recently, the National President of the NBA,………………..has constituted a 3-man committee to investigate the allegations.
This was contained in a letter addressed to Dr Mazi Udegbulam, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Imo State branch, a copy of which was made available to our news desk.
According to the letter captioned, “ RE: EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING AND ALLEGATIONS CONCERNING THE N100 MILLION GIFT FROM THE IMO STATE GOVERNMENT” signed by the National President……………members of the 3-man committee are Mr Afam Okeke, NBA General Secretary, Mrs Imobong Irene-Pepple, NBA Third Vice President, and Mrs Esther Jimoh, NBA Treasurer.
The letter dated October 14, 2026 reads in part, “I acknowledge receipt of your letters dated 13 and 14 October 2026 respectively, concerning the developing situation in the NBA Owerri Branch and the Extraordinary General Meeting proposed by 183 (one hundred and eighty-three) requisitioning members of the Branch.
The concerns raised about the receipt and disbursement of the N100 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. That process must, however, proceed in an atmosphere conducive to orderly discussion.
I am therefore constituting a three-member committee to investigate the allegations of impropriety concerning the receipt, management and disbursement of the gift. Its members are: Mr. Afam Okeke- NBA General Secretary, Mrs. Iniabong Irene Pepple- NBA Third Vice-President, and Mrs. Esther Jimoh- NBA Treasurer.”
Continuing, the letter said, “The meeting scheduled for Thursday, 15 October 2026 at 2.00 p.m. should proceed. The Committee will attend the meeting as my representatives. They will observe the proceedings, ensure that a signed attendance register is taken and give such directions as may be necessary to secure an orderly meeting. Please facilitate access to the venue and accord the Committee full cooperation.”
