By Anyi Lemchi
The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, Dr. Mazi Udegbulem, has denied allegations of financial embezzlement surrounding the N100 million support approved by the Imo State Government for the branch, insisting that the funds were applied to critical infrastructural, administrative and welfare needs in the overall interest of the association.
Udegbulem gave the clarification on Monday while addressing journalists at the Imo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Owerri, where he presented a breakdown of the expenditure and explained the circumstances surrounding the receipt and utilisation of the government support.
He maintained that the funds were not originally intended for distribution among members but were meant to address pressing infrastructural, administrative and welfare needs of the branch, in line with an appeal made to the state government through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Imo State.
According to him, the branch had, in a letter dated August 10, 2026, requested government assistance for the completion of its cloakroom at the Justice Oputa High Court Complex, installation of solar panels and air conditioners at the Bar Centre, procurement of coaster buses to facilitate members’ transportation to branch activities, and enrolment of members in the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Accompanied by members of the Branch Executive Committee and other stakeholders, Udegbulem disclosed that, following the appeal, the state government approved N100 million in cash support and indicated that it would directly procure two coaster buses for the branch.
The chairman explained that the money was paid directly into the official bank account of the NBA Owerri Branch on August 24, 2026, stressing that no part of the funds was paid into his personal account, contrary to claims allegedly made by his accuser, Barrister Chinedu Agu, and others.
He further stated that the branch had an existing balance of N6,351,718 before the government support was received, bringing the total funds available to N106,351,718.
Udegbulem asserted that his actions and the application of the funds were guided by the best interests of the branch and its members, adding that the expenditures were supported by bank records, invoices, receipts, payment vouchers and other relevant documents.
He also maintained that, contrary to the position of those accusing him of financial impropriety, sharing money among members had not been the established practice in the branch’s previous handling of such funds.
However, he explained that, in the interest of peace, unity and progress within the branch, as well as in compliance with the resolution of the September General Meeting, his leadership authorised the disbursement of N50,000 each to lawyers who participated in the 2026 NBA Annual General Conference (AGC).
He disclosed that 206 lawyers had so far received the payment, amounting to N10.3 million, through bank transfers, while the remaining beneficiaries would be paid upon providing their bank details.
Giving a breakdown of the expenditure, Udegbulem said N42.188 million was spent on logistics for the 2026 NBA Annual General Conference, while N17.5 million went into the installation of a 32KVA solar power system at the Bar Centre.
Other expenditures included N5.418 million for eight air conditioners, N3.4 million for health insurance enrolment, N2.24 million for desktop computers and printers, and N2.5 million for a public address system and amplifier.
He added that N1.958 million was spent on repairs and improvements at the Bar Centre, including doors, ceilings and electrical wiring, while N1.93 million was used to procure 41 executive seats.
According to him, the total expenditure stood at N87,434,250, leaving a balance of N18,917,468 in the branch’s Fidelity Bank account as of October 15, 2026.
Udegbulem said the figures accounted for the N100 million government support and the branch’s opening balance of N6,351,718, adding that the projects and relevant financial records were available for verification.
On the ongoing investigation into the matter, the NBA Owerri chairman disclosed that the President of the national association had constituted a three-member investigative committee to examine the receipt and expenditure of the funds.
He said he had submitted the requested records to the committee and was prepared to cooperate with any lawful investigative process.
The chairman also expressed concern over the constitution of another five-member committee at an Extraordinary General Meeting held on October 15, 2026, to investigate the same financial transactions already before the national committee.
He described the move as unconstitutional and an act of insubordination that should be condemned, maintaining that the establishment of a parallel investigative committee could undermine the ongoing process.
Udegbulem said he had requested the national investigative committee to harmonise the two processes to avoid conflicting investigations and had formally raised concerns about the possibility of bias.
He reiterated his commitment to accountability, insisting that the funds were applied in good faith for the benefit of the branch. He also urged members and the public to disregard the allegations against him, which he described as being made in bad faith to tarnish his image.
He invited journalists and other interested persons to inspect the projects at the Bar Centre and examine the supporting financial records, expressing confidence that an objective review would clarify the issues surrounding the government support.
He further stated that, as of October 19, 2026, no agency had made a finding or issued an indictment against him for the alleged misappropriation of the funds.
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