NBA Bori Disowns ‘Concerned Ogoni Lawyers’, Apologises To Chief Lesi Maol Over Auditorium Controversy
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bori Branch, has dissociated itself from a statement credited to a group operating under the name ‘Concerned Ogoni Lawyers/Stakeholders Forum’ over the construction of the branch’s auditorium, describing the group as unknown to the association.
The Chairman of NBA Bori Branch, Evangel Legbara Augustine, Esq., made the clarification in a press release dated October 31, 2026, while tendering an unreserved apology to the President of KAGOTE and Chief Executive Officer of Giolee Global Resources Limited, Chief Lesi Maol, over the controversy.
Augustine stated that the purported group does not represent the official position of the NBA Bori Branch, citing Section 7(1)(d) of the Uniform Bye-Law for NBA Branches, which recognises the branch chairman as its official spokesperson.
He explained that statements not issued by the chairman or officers duly authorised by him should not be regarded as the position of the branch.
The NBA chairman expressed regret over what he described as an attempt by the group to distort and misrepresent Maol’s contributions to the auditorium project.
He reaffirmed that Chief Lesi Maol is the sole financier of the project, noting that his commitment was clearly acknowledged on the banners and posters displayed during the flag-off ceremony.
Augustine said the branch and its members remained grateful for Maol’s generosity, patriotism and commitment to providing the facility, describing attempts to diminish his contributions as unnecessary and capable of creating avoidable tension within the legal community.
He also challenged those behind the purported group to disclose their identities rather than operate under an unfamiliar platform to issue statements capable of misleading the public.
The chairman cautioned against actions capable of provoking Maol into abandoning the project, stressing that the auditorium would serve members of the NBA Bori Branch across Khana, Gokana, Tai, Eleme, Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas, as well as the wider justice sector.
He urged members of the public to disregard the statement attributed to the group, insisting that the branch would not allow its professional integrity and cordial relationship with its benefactors to be drawn into unnecessary controversy.
Augustine reiterated the branch’s appreciation to Maol and expressed confidence that the auditorium project would be completed, commissioned and handed over for the benefit of the association.
