The Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, has impeached its Chairman, Professor Mazi Udegbulem, following allegations of financial mismanagement involving a ₦100 million donation from the Imo State Government.
Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, have impeached their Chairman, Professor Mazi Udegbulem, over allegations of gross financial mismanagement and irregularities surrounding the management of ₦100 million donated to the branch by the Imo State Government.
The impeachment followed an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the NBA Bar Centre in Owerri, Imo State.
According to reports of the meeting, 215 financial members voted in favour of his removal, with no opposing vote recorded.
The development marked the culmination of a protracted leadership crisis that began after members questioned the management and disbursement of the ₦100 million government donation in August 2026.
How the ₦100 million controversy started
The Imo State Government, under Governor Hope Uzodimma, reportedly donated ₦100 million to the NBA Owerri Branch to support members’ participation in the association’s 2026 Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The money was credited to the branch’s Fidelity Bank account on August 24, 2026.
However, concerns emerged among members over the expenditure, particularly payments made without what the investigating committee considered adequate documentation and authorisation.
A former Branch Secretary, Chinedu Agu, reportedly petitioned the NBA national leadership and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), demanding an investigation into the financial transactions.
Investigation uncovers disputed ₦34 million payments
A five-member Investigation and Fact-Finding Committee chaired by Chidi B. Nworka subsequently examined the financial records and transactions surrounding the donation.
In its report dated October 31, 2026, the committee alleged that ₦34 million was transferred to five recipients on the same day the ₦100 million donation entered the branch’s account.
The beneficiaries and amounts identified in the report were:
- Ade Glory Food Empire – ₦4 million.
- Chiemeka Elebiri – ₦12 million.
- Daniella Obianuju Ohuabunwa – ₦10 million.
- Kelechi Ogugbuajah – ₦2 million.
- Chikaima Lilian Ugoanyanwu – ₦6 million.
The committee questioned the payments, particularly the absence of sufficient documentation explaining the purpose of some transactions.
It also reportedly discovered discrepancies between the ₦34 million payments and the approximately ₦42.18 million subsequently presented as expenditure on logistics for the NBA Annual General Conference.
According to the committee, Branch Treasurer, Olachi Madona Anosike, could not satisfactorily explain some of the transactions or produce supporting invoices and receipts for the conference logistics expenditure.
The investigators also questioned another payment of ₦1.93 million to Daniella Ohuabunwa in connection with the purchase of executive chairs.
Fresh questions over alleged ₦30 million payment
The investigation also raised questions about a separate ₦30 million allegedly received by Udegbulem from the Imo State Government for the installation of solar panels and air conditioners.
The committee alleged that the payment had not been properly disclosed to the branch and requested an explanation of the transaction and the account into which the money was paid.
However, the chairman had previously maintained that the solar installation and air-conditioning projects formed part of the branch’s development plans.
The committee recommended an independent professional audit of the branch’s accounts and further investigation of relevant transactions.
It also recommended disciplinary proceedings against Udegbulem, the Treasurer and other officers found responsible for the alleged irregularities.
degbulem denies financial wrongdoing
Before his impeachment, Udegbulem publicly denied allegations of misappropriation, insisting that the ₦100 million was paid directly into the branch’s official bank account and was not diverted into any personal account.
In an October 19 interview with journalists in Owerri, he disclosed that the branch had an opening balance of approximately ₦6.35 million before receiving the government donation.
He said the total funds available amounted to ₦106.35 million.
According to his expenditure breakdown, approximately ₦42.18 million was spent on conference logistics, ₦17.5 million on a 32KVA solar installation, ₦5.42 million on air conditioners and ₦3.4 million on health insurance for 86 members.
Other expenditures included ₦10.3 million in welfare support for 206 lawyers, ₦2.24 million for computers and printers, ₦2.5 million for a public-address system and ₦1.93 million for executive chairs.
He put the total expenditure at ₦87.43 million, with approximately ₦18.91 million remaining in the branch’s account as of October 15.
He maintained that receipts, invoices, bank statements and other financial records were available for verification.
Udegbulem also questioned the impartiality of the branch’s investigative committee, arguing that some of its members had already expressed positions against his administration.
NBA national leadership intervenes
The controversy attracted the intervention of the NBA national leadership.
On October 14, 2026, NBA President Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, constituted a three-member committee to investigate allegations concerning the receipt, management and disbursement of the government donation.
The committee comprised NBA General Secretary Afam Okeke, Third Vice-President Iniobong Pepple and Treasurer Esther Jimoh.
In an official statement published on the NBA website on October 15, the association said the investigation would involve examining financial records and receiving representations from individuals concerned.
The NBA President also emphasised that the establishment of the committee did not constitute a finding of wrongdoing against anyone and assured that affected individuals would receive a fair opportunity to respond.
215 lawyers vote to remove chairman
The leadership crisis eventually culminated in the November 10 Extraordinary General Meeting.
Following disagreements over the conduct of the meeting, a motion seeking Udegbulem’s removal was reportedly moved by Chinedu Agu and seconded by Chukwuemeka Anyanwu.
Voting was subsequently conducted, with 215 members reportedly supporting the impeachment and none voting against it.
The meeting also adopted the report of the five-member investigative committee.
Among the resolutions was a directive to formally notify banks dealing with the branch not to honour financial instruments issued by Udegbulem and the Branch Treasurer.
Members further resolved that the branch’s Vice Chairman should assume office as Acting Chairman.
Udegbulem was also removed as administrator of the branch’s WhatsApp communication platforms.
Committee recommends independent audit
In its concluding recommendations, the investigative committee described the alleged financial irregularities as gross misappropriation of branch funds and violations of the NBA Constitution and Uniform Bye-Laws.
It recommended a comprehensive independent audit, including relevant personal and business accounts through which the funds might have passed.
The committee also called for disciplinary proceedings against the affected officers and anyone subsequently established to have participated in the alleged misconduct.
The impeachment represents a major leadership crisis within the Owerri Branch and raises broader questions about financial accountability, transparency and institutional oversight in professional associations.
However, the allegations of criminal embezzlement have not been established by a final court judgment. The investigative committee’s findings and the chairman’s defence remain important parts of the unfolding controversy.
