NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe Questions Allegations Against Deputy Chief Registrar Over Diesel Payments
Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, is the President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), a prominent legal figure recognized for his dedication to promoting justice and integrity within the Nigerian legal system. His leadership has been marked by a commitment to transparency and accountability, particularly in the judiciary.
Recently, Osigwe confronted the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court (FHC) in Awka, Mba Nkem, regarding troubling allegations that she had been demanding between 20 to 30 litres of diesel from defendants granted bail. This claim emerged after several defendants and their legal representatives expressed concerns over what they viewed as an unethical practice tied to the bail verification process.
Mazi Afam Osigwe Confronts Court Official Over Controversial Bail Verification Practices
In her response to Osigwe, Nkem provided a detailed account of the court’s bail verification procedures. She clarified that the court orders stipulate that sureties must deposit refundable bank drafts in her name, which are subsequently placed in interest-yielding fixed deposit accounts at United Bank for Africa (UBA). “The bank drafts or any of the bail bonds are not for the Deputy Chief Registrar’s personal aggrandisement,” she asserted, emphasizing the integrity of the process.
Addressing the allegations about diesel collection, Nkem explained that the court had been facing significant challenges due to erratic power supply, which had been exacerbated by theft incidents where robbers made off with cables. For nine months, the court struggled with inadequate electricity, and she noted that the quarterly subvention from court revenue barely met their diesel needs.
Read More From The Nigerian Bar Association
To improve the efficiency of bail verification during court sessions, Nkem recounted that some lawyers had proposed a collective contribution of 20 to 30 litres of diesel per case. However, she reassured Osigwe that defendants unable to provide diesel—such as those represented in pro-bono cases—would still be accommodated if any leftover diesel was available.
Transparency in Question: NBA President Addresses Allegations Against Federal High Court Registrar
In her letter, Nkem maintained that the diesel was never monetized and was exclusively used to power the court’s generator. She reiterated her commitment to transparency, stating, “I maintain an open-door policy and always invite my secretary into meetings with counsel or litigants to ensure trust and transparency.”
To further demonstrate her transparency, Nkem attached copies of relevant bank drafts and court orders for Osigwe’s review. She concluded her correspondence by expressing her openness to correction, should any wrongdoing be discovered in her conduct.
Osigwe’s inquiry into these allegations highlights the NBA’s proactive stance in addressing issues of integrity within the judiciary. The association is dedicated to ensuring that legal processes are conducted fairly, without any undue influence or unethical practices. As this situation unfolds, the NBA remains committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all litigants.
