NBA CRISIS: Murray Labels Adetunbi ‘Sycophantic Silk’ in Explosive Rebuttal”, Insists on Osigwe’s Removal
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Muritala Abdul-Rasheed (popularly known as “Murray”), has issued a detailed and strongly worded rejoinder to criticisms by fellow silk Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, intensifying the ongoing controversy within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
In a statement titled “The Sycophantic Silk: A Rejoinder to Musibau Adetunbi, SAN,” Abdul-Rasheed defended his earlier calls for accountability and possible resignation of the NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, insisting that his position is grounded in ethical concerns rather than personal attacks.
Responding to Adetunbi’s earlier critique, Abdul-Rasheed accused him of mischaracterising his arguments, particularly regarding the controversial allegation of dollar payments linked to the NBA National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Maiduguri. He clarified that he never mentioned or implicated any individual, including Senator Shehu Kaka, SAN, in connection with the alleged funds, describing such claims as “devious and misleading.”
He further alleged that supporters of the NBA President introduced external narratives to divert attention from what he described as the “real issue” — ethical accountability within the Association’s leadership.
Abdul-Rasheed maintained that the controversy is not about personalities but institutional integrity. According to him, the acceptance and alleged selective distribution of foreign currency to certain members, without transparency, raises serious questions about fiduciary responsibility and trust within the NBA.
Addressing accusations of denying fair hearing, the senior lawyer argued that calling for resignation in the face of “prima facie ethical misconduct” does not amount to conviction but reflects a demand for moral accountability. He, however, reiterated that all individuals who allegedly received the funds should return them, while emphasizing that the NBA President bears greater responsibility due to the nature of his office.
“The higher the office, the higher the responsibility,” Abdul-Rasheed stated, stressing that leadership within institutions carries “command responsibility” and cannot be equated with that of ordinary members.
On the controversy surrounding alleged remarks about the judiciary, Abdul-Rasheed expressed concern over statements attributed to Osigwe, warning that sweeping generalisations about judges could undermine public confidence in the judicial system. He referenced the NBA’s constitutional mandate to uphold the integrity and independence of both the Bar and the Bench.
The former NBA Publicity Secretary also questioned claims of an “unprecedented ₦1 billion surplus” under the current administration. He argued that despite such financial performance, welfare initiatives for young lawyers — including subsidised tools and benefits — have reportedly been discontinued, raising concerns about the administration’s priorities.
Rejecting attempts to frame the dispute as political or factional, Abdul-Rasheed insisted that the matter is fundamentally about restoring ethical standards within the legal profession. He criticised the introduction of cultural and age-based arguments into what he described as a purely professional and ethical debate.
In his concluding remarks, Abdul-Rasheed called for full disclosure of the alleged funds, immediate refund by all recipients, and urged the NBA President to step aside in the interest of preserving the Association’s credibility.
He described resignation under such circumstances not as an admission of guilt, but as “the honourable course” in line with global professional standards.
