NBA CRISIS: For Murray, NBA Is His Meal Ticket and Nothing More, Denounce Him or Lose My Vote — Onu Warns Akinboro, SAN
Abuja-based legal practitioner, Joseph Onu Silas, Esq., has cautioned NBA presidential aspirant, Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, to publicly distance himself from senior lawyer, Muritala Abdul-Rasheed, SAN, popularly known as Murray, or risk losing his support and that of other lawyers.
Silas gave the warning in a statement addressing recent developments within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), particularly the controversy surrounding Murray’s allegations against the Association’s leadership.
In the statement, Silas described Murray as someone who views the NBA as “a meal ticket and nothing more,” alleging that his involvement in Bar affairs is driven by personal interest rather than commitment to the profession.
He dismissed Murray’s recent claims—especially allegations relating to dollar distributions within the NBA—as unfounded and lacking credibility.
Silas further referenced Murray’s role during the tenure of former NBA President, Abubakar Mahmoud, noting that his position as Chief of Staff had remained controversial. He also raised concerns about financial accountability during that period, including issues linked to funds from the MacArthur Foundation.
While acknowledging Akinboro’s standing within the legal profession, Silas warned that any perceived alignment with Murray could negatively affect his candidacy.
He stated that unless Akinboro openly denounces Murray and distances himself from the ongoing controversy, he would withdraw his support.
Silas added that his position reflects the views of other lawyers who are concerned about the influence of controversial figures in the affairs of the NBA.
The development comes as preparations intensify for the NBA’s forthcoming national elections, with stakeholders closely watching emerging alliances and statements from key figures within the Bar.
See the full statement by Mr Onu
OF MURRAY AND ALLIED MATTERS: MACARTHUR FOUNDATION SLUSH WILL NEVER GO AWAY.
I asked AI a simple question to see if I can get a single word that can be used to describe as fraudulent person who has a penchant for calling innocent persons fraudsters. Interestingly, AI just made a short note for me in an attempted answer. See it below:
“You’re thinking of a “pot calling the kettle black” situation!
A person who falsely accuses others of fraud while being fraudulent themselves is often described as a *hypocrite* or exhibiting *hypocrisy*.
Some other terms that might fit:
– Projecting: attributing one’s own faults to others
– Deflector: diverting attention from their own wrongdoing
– Gaslighter: manipulating others’ perception of reality”
Sincerely speaking, for anyone who knows Murray, you will easily agree that AI has done a good job of describing him.
It wasn’t too long that AB Mahmoud, SAN was the President of NBA and we were shocked to see the creation a special office in the NBA House. The Office of Chief of Staff to the President was illegally set up for Murray, designed to undermine the functions of the Executive Director of the NBA. That intention was perfectly achieved by Murray who was the architect of creating that office.
He used the office to enrich himself from funds donated to the NBA by reputable organizations like the MacArthur Foundation. So, when you hear Murray talking about Dollar distribution, it is because he is very familiar with that currency and how easily it is to steal public fund using that hard currency.
I, in particular, have rested assured that Murray, having disgraced himself in NBA affairs during AB Mahmoud, SAN administration, will keep off all forms of public involvement in NBA politics. But, alas I am wrong as a hypocrite has no sense of shame. Murray did not only open his mouth amidst concrete evidence of his bad behavior as “Chief of Staff”, which someone jokingly rebranded as “Thief of Staff”, he went on the offensive alleging that his favorite currency, the US Dollars, was shared by the NBA to Senior Advocates. The funny thing is that he made the allegation as if he cared about non-SANs and others who he said were not given the hand currency.
However, his main objective for the allegation was not hidden as he immediately also began to complain about the NBA President’s open support for a particular candidate in the upcoming national election of the Bar. This is where it’s gets interesting, as i was not too keen on openly supporting any candidate for the next election. But his open and fiery support for Aare Olumuyiwa Akingboro, SAN (who is have so much respect for) has only worked against the respected Senior Advocate and aspirant for the NBA Presidency. My resson is simple – the only reason why Murray will openly and so forcefully throw himself into the ring for Akingboro is because he is guaranteed to enjoy the kind of patronage he did during the AB Mahmoud era. That was an era that should never be allowed to befall the Bar again. For this guy, NBA is a meal ticket and nothing more. Therefore, unless Akingboro openly denounces Murray and distance himself from the baseless drama being directed by Murray, it will cost him my vote and that of many other responsible Bar men/women across the nation.
It should be a collective determination that anyone who has undermined the NBA by pillaging it’s funds, should not enjoy the patronage of any prospective or serving leader of the Bar. Murray should be the foremost example of how such persons should be treated.
In the forthcoming election, until Akingboro states his position clearly, I will consider that only two candidates are up for election. We must not tear down the house in order to lead it.
Murray must apologize to the NBA President and the entire legal profession for his unguarded and unsubstantiated reckless remarks or risk being asked to answer for his time as “Chief of Staff”. To be exact, NEC has also found him culpable in the act of fund disappearance or unaccountability.
This is chapter one of my reaction to Murray. More will follow as the spirit leads.
Joseph Onu Silas, Esq.
Abuja – Nigeria.
