By Victoria Tokolo
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has firmly denied allegations that $2,000 was distributed to Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) as an “attendance fee” during its recent engagement in Maiduguri, stating that no such payment was made or authorized by the Association.
In a statement issued by its Secretariat, the NBA clarified that neither the Association nor any of its members received or approved the sharing of funds in connection with the Maiduguri meeting. It stressed that no money meant for the Association was distributed to SANs, branch officers, statutory National Executive Council (NEC) members, or young lawyers.
“The Association neither received nor authorized the distribution of any such sum,” the statement said.
The NBA further noted that there is no documentary evidence to substantiate claims that the Borno State Government paid $2,000 to any group on its behalf. According to the Secretariat, there are no payment vouchers, no government disbursement schedules, no official list of beneficiaries issued by any state authority, and no identifiable budgetary provision under which such a payment could have been processed.
It added that a review of the Association’s financial records revealed no transaction reflecting the alleged payment and confirmed that no NBA funds were diverted, misapplied, or shared during the Maiduguri meeting.
Addressing reports surrounding the NEC meeting, the NBA stated that while the Governor of Borno State attended the cocktail reception, he did not address the gathering or make any financial commitments. The Secretariat explained that the governor was on leave at the time and made no announcement, presentation, or declaration of any financial gift to members of the Bar.
The Association emphasized that allegations of public fund disbursement are serious and require credible evidence. It noted that such claims can be verified through lawful mechanisms, including formal inquiries or Freedom of Information requests, but said none has been presented to support the circulating reports.
“What has circulated are merely insinuations elevated to the level of fact without evidentiary backing,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its position, the NBA maintained that the integrity of the Bar cannot be undermined by conjecture or politically motivated narratives. It concluded that, based on available records, no $2,000 payment was made to or received by the Nigerian Bar Association, and no funds were distributed to its members in Maiduguri.
The clarification comes amid widespread speculation within legal and social media circles over alleged payments to Senior Advocates, claims the Association insists are unsupported by any verifiable evidence.
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