…Lists Projects Executed, Discloses ₦18.9m Balance, Welcomes Probe Into Alleged Misappropriation
By Douglas Princemola
The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, Dr. (Prof.) Mazi Udegbulem, has denied allegations of financial misappropriation surrounding the ₦100 million financial support approved by Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for the Branch.
Udegbulem, while addressing journalists at a press conference held at the Imo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Complex, New Owerri, on Monday, October 19, 2026, insisted that the funds were utilised for approved projects and members’ welfare, with supporting financial records available for verification.
The chairman maintained that there was no diversion of funds or personal enrichment, adding that the Branch had accounted for the money received from the state government alongside its existing account balance.
The press conference followed petitions and social media publications alleging criminal misappropriation of the financial support, prompting calls for transparency and accountability over the management of the funds.
Reading from a five-page statement made available to ThePressman Newspaper and other media organisations present, Udegbulem outlined the circumstances surrounding the request, receipt, approval, expenditure and ongoing investigations into the grant.
HOW THE ₦100 MILLION SUPPORT WAS APPROVED
According to the chairman, the NBA Owerri Branch, on August 10, 2026, formally approached Governor Uzodimma through the Imo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, requesting financial assistance to address four major needs of the Branch.
These included the completion of the cloakroom project at the Justice Oputa High Court Complex, New Owerri; installation of solar panels and air conditioners at the Bar Centre along Orlu Road, Owerri; procurement of coaster buses for members’ transportation; and enrolment of members in the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Udegbulem explained that the governor subsequently approved ₦100 million in cash support and indicated that two coaster buses would be procured directly by the state government as additional assistance.
He noted that the buses were not included in the cash released to the Branch, adding that their delivery was still being awaited.
The proposed cloakroom project, he further disclosed, was deferred pending a revised cost estimate.
₦100 MILLION PAID INTO OFFICIAL NBA ACCOUNT
Addressing concerns over the receipt of the money, Udegbulem stated that the ₦100 million was paid directly into the NBA Owerri Branch’s official Fidelity Bank account on August 24, 2026.
He stressed that no portion of the grant was paid into his personal account.
The chairman disclosed that the Branch had an existing balance of ₦6,351,718 before the government’s intervention, bringing the total funds available in the account to ₦106,351,718.
He added that bank statements, credit advice and other relevant financial documents were available to establish the receipt and movement of the funds.
Udegbulem, who assumed office as chairman on June 27, 2026, said the Branch operated a joint-signatory system in accordance with the NBA Constitution and maintained that he never operated the account as a sole signatory.
₦87.43 MILLION SPENT ON PROJECTS, WELFARE
Providing a breakdown of the expenditure, the NBA Owerri chairman said a total of ₦87,434,250 had been spent on conference logistics, solar power installation, office equipment, members’ welfare and other Branch projects.
He identified the largest expenditure as ₦42,188,000 for logistics associated with the 2026 Annual General Conference (AGC).
The installation of a solar power system at the Branch’s Bar Centre reportedly cost ₦17.5 million. The project, according to the statement, comprises two 12KWH inverters and 36 solar panels rated at 590 watts each.
Udegbulem stated that the solar project was completed and commissioned on September 26, 2026, by the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Government, Mrs Gloria Egwuagu.
He also listed ₦5,418,000 for eight air-conditioning units, ₦2,240,000 for desktop computers and printers, and ₦2.5 million for a public address system and amplifier.
Another ₦1,930,000 was reportedly spent on 41 executive chairs, while ₦1,958,250 went into other Branch expenses, including repairs, doors, ceiling work and electrical wiring.
₦10.3 MILLION PAID TO 206 LAWYERS
On members’ welfare, the chairman disclosed that ₦10.3 million was disbursed to 206 lawyers at ₦50,000 each, following a directive of the Branch’s September General Meeting.
He said the payments were made through bank transfers, with receipts available to support the transactions.
The statement also indicated that ₦3.4 million was spent on enrolling 86 persons in the National Health Insurance Scheme.
According to Udegbulem, ₦5 million had initially been earmarked for the health insurance exercise, but the unused balance of ₦1.6 million was refunded into the Branch Welfare Account on October 2, 2026.
He further presented details of six cheques issued from the Branch’s Fidelity Bank account, totalling ₦14,733,880, for items including executive chairs, air conditioners, computers, statutory charges and welfare payments.
The chairman said the transactions were supported by payment mandates, vouchers and invoices.
₦18.9 MILLION REMAINS IN ACCOUNT
Giving the overall financial position, Udegbulem stated that the Branch had ₦18,917,468 remaining in its Fidelity Bank account as of October 15, 2026.
He maintained that the total expenditure of ₦87,434,250 and the stated balance of ₦18,917,468 accounted for the entire ₦106,351,718 available, comprising the ₦100 million government support and the opening balance of ₦6,351,718.
The chairman invited journalists and other interested members of the public to inspect the projects executed at the Bar Centre and verify the available records.
He insisted that the expenditure was undertaken for the benefit of the Branch and its members, urging those raising concerns to allow the relevant investigative processes to establish the facts.
NBA PRESIDENT CONSTITUTES THREE-MEMBER INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE
On the petitions concerning the grant, Udegbulem disclosed that the NBA President had constituted a three-member investigative committee to examine the receipt and expenditure of the ₦100 million.
According to him, the committee was established through a letter dated October 14, 2026, with a reporting deadline of October 30, 2026.
He said the committee had requested the relevant records within 24 hours and that he had complied by submitting the required documents.
The chairman also stated that, as of the date of his press conference, no agency had made a finding or issued an indictment against him for misappropriation.
He pledged to cooperate fully with any lawful investigation and expressed readiness to present original documents before any authorised body.
OWERRI NBA BRANCH MEMBERS SET UP ANOTHER PROBE
Udegbulem also addressed developments at the Branch’s Extraordinary General Meeting held on October 15, 2026.
He said he attended the meeting in compliance with the NBA President’s directive that the gathering should proceed, with the President’s investigative committee present as observers.
According to the chairman, members at the meeting asked him to step aside and approved the establishment of a separate five-member committee to investigate the same financial matter.
The committee, as listed in the executive summary of the meeting’s decisions dated October 16, 2026, comprises Chidi Nworka, Esq., as chairman; F. C. Obinna, Esq.; Chukwurah Onuorah, Esq.; and Chima Ezike, Esq., as members, with Victoria Joshua, Esq., serving as secretary.
The committee was reportedly mandated to submit its findings at the Branch’s monthly general meeting scheduled for October 31, 2026.
Udegbulem said he respected the right of members to demand accountability but expressed concern about having two separate committees investigating the same matter.
He disclosed that he had formally requested the NBA President’s three-member committee to harmonise the investigative processes, while also raising concerns about the possibility of bias.
“I ASSUMED OFFICE TO SERVE”
Concluding his statement, the NBA Owerri chairman said he assumed office to serve the Branch and accepted leadership responsibility for decisions taken by the executive leadership.
He maintained that all relevant records had been preserved and denied any personal enrichment or diversion of the funds.
“I am available to appear with all original documents before any lawful body,” he stated, reaffirming his commitment to the ongoing investigations.
The chairman appealed to the investigative committee and the public to examine the financial records, inspect the completed projects and assess the expenditure based on verifiable evidence.
With the NBA President’s investigative committee expected to report by October 30 and the Branch-appointed committee scheduled to present its findings on October 31, the handling of the ₦100 million support remains a matter of scrutiny within the Owerri legal community.
The outcome of the investigations is expected to provide further clarity on the management of the funds and address the concerns raised by members over accountability and financial transparency.
