NBA NYANYA-KARU BRANCH IN UPROAR: Members Disown Fraudulent Appeal, Demand Disciplinary Action Against Young Lawyer and Outgoing Chairman

♦Accuse Outgoing Chairman, Mr Augustine Ibolo, of Data Privacy Breach as Signatures Meant for Vote of Confidence Used in Election Petition Without Consent

The Nyanya-Karu Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has been engulfed in outrage following the revelation that an appeal submitted to the NBA Appeal Committee was fraudulently filed on behalf of several members without their knowledge or approval. The controversial appeal, which seeks to challenge the decision of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, EC-NBA, is now the subject of widespread condemnation from branch members.

At the centre of the unfolding scandal is a young lawyer, Mr. Peter Sunday Umoru, who reportedly filed the appeal in the names of unsuspecting lawyers. He allegedly attached their signatures and personal data to the appeal document without their consent. Members of the branch are demanding urgent disciplinary action against him, accusing him of gross professional misconduct and fraudulent misrepresentation.

Also under intense scrutiny is the outgoing Chairman of the Branch, Mr. Augustine Ibolo, who is being accused of abusing his office and violating data privacy laws. Mr. Ibolo had reportedly collected signatures from members of the branch in April 2025 for an entirely different purpose — to gather support during a vote of confidence amid a leadership crisis. Members say the data was never intended to be used in relation to the branch elections but was nevertheless made available to Mr. Umoru, who used it to file the contentious appeal.

Among the many aggrieved members who have issued disclaimers to the NBA Appeal Committee is Mr. Daniel Onyilo, the Provost of the Branch and a serving member of the executive committee. He stated that he never authorized or participated in filing any appeal.

Another Lawyer, Mr. Henry Justus Tochukwu also issued a disclaimer, saying his personal data was obtained for a different official matter and used fraudulently in the appeal. He has called on the NBA Appeal Committee to launch a full investigation and refer the matter to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).

Another member, Ngene Mary Chidimma Esq disclosed that her signature was obtained at the NBA Women Forum Conference strictly for a vote of confidence and not for any electoral matter. She has denied any involvement in the appeal and condemned the fraudulent use of her data.

Stephen Peter Oguche Esq, a senior member of the bar, confirmed that he only signed a document titled “Vote of Confidence” and was appalled to discover that his data had been used for an unauthorized purpose. He said he neither filed nor authorized any appeal and described the use of his name as misrepresentation.

Other members of the branch, Adenike Arasanyin-Pious Esq, Beatrice Elikpi Danjuma Esq, and Jackson Bako Esq have all issued similar disclaimers. Each of them insisted that their names and signatures were never meant to be used in an appeal. Mr. Bako went further to say he was not even aware of the issues surrounding the election and therefore could not have contributed to or authorized an appeal.

Blessing Iheme Esq strongly denounced the submission of the appeal and denied any involvement. She urged the NBA Appeal Committee to refer Mr. Peter Umoru and all those involved, including Mr. Augustine Ibolo, to the LPDC for disciplinary action over professional misconduct and fraud.

As the controversy deepens, members of the Nyanya-Karu Branch are calling on the NBA Appeal Committee to expunge the fraudulent appeal, investigate all parties involved, and restore the integrity of the electoral process.