Zulum’s $2,000 ‘Attendance Fee’ Tears NBA Apart As SAN Calls For Osigwe’s Resignation

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Muritala Abdul-Rasheed has called on the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Afam Osigwe to resign from the position without further delay.

Abdul-Rasheed who is a member of NBA cited loss of confidence of members of the association as the basic reason for demanding Osigwe’s resignation.

He said the President has abandoned the long-standing tradition of institutional neutrality and descending into open partisanship in the build-up to the 2026 NBA elections.

Abdul-Rasheed said Osigwe’s conduct and bias were sufficient to shake the moral foundation of the office he occupies.

He lamented that the disturbing revelations emerging from the Maiduguri NEC meeting and the pattern of conduct surrounding financial dealings now present a far more troubling picture.

According to him, “What is at stake is not merely the reputation of one individual office holder. What is at stake is the moral standing of the Nigerian Bar Association itself, the very body that claims the authority to speak for the rule of law, ethical governance, and public accountability in Nigeria.

“It has now been widely reported, and remains uncontroverted, that at the NEC meeting held in Maiduguri, the Government of Borno State presented each Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in attendance with the sum of $2,000 (Two Thousand United States Dollars), described as an “Attendance Fee.” Curiously, this so-called fee was not extended to the other delegates who participated at the same meeting.

“First, there is no provision, tradition, or recognised practice within the NBA that permits a third party, especially a state government, to pay “attendance fees” to selected categories of lawyers attending a statutory meeting of the Bar.

“Second, and more gravely, the NBA has a well-established policy grounded in transparency and accountability regarding gifts, donations, or financial benefits received in connection with official NBA activities. That policy requires full disclosure of such benefits and remittance of same into the coffers of the Association, not private retention.

“Third, the disbursement of dollar-denominated “attendance fees” to selected members of the NEC at the Maiduguri meeting represents a grave departure from established policy and ethical expectations. Even more concerning is the selective nature of the gifts.

“Evidence indicates that Chairmen, Secretaries, statutory NEC members, and young lawyers were excluded, while certain individuals, especially SANs. were specifically targeted as beneficiaries, This fact alone proves that this was not a general administrative arrangement for all participants; it was a curated distribution that raises serious questions about motive, propriety, and fairness.

“Furthermore, fundamental legal questions arise. Why was the gift denominated in foreign currency? Is the dollar Nigeria’s national currency? Was such an expenditure captured in the Borno State Appropriation Law? From what source was this money drawn, and under what legal authority was it converted into what has been described as “attendance fees” for selected lawyers?”

Abdul-Rasheed called on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, as Chairman of the General Council of the Bar, to exercise his supervisory responsibility by calling the NBA President to order and prevailing upon him to vacate office in the best interest of the profession.

“Additionally, the Body of Benchers and the Body of Past Presidents of the NBA, as the moral and historical Guardians of the Association, must not remain silent. Their voices carry weight, and their intervention at this time is essential to preserve the sanctity of the profession. Should the President fail to resign, these bodies must initiate and support lawful steps toward his removal in accordance with the Constitution of the Association”, Abdul-Rasheed stated.