Delta State-born entertainment lawyer, Rockson Igelige, has filed a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Akpowowo Theophilus Aniko, the former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area.
Igelige accuses Aniko of fraudulently diverting building materials and misappropriating funds belonging to the NBA branch.
He stated that Aniko was given nearly a year to account for the funds and make necessary refunds, but no action was taken.
In a petition titled “A Case of Mismanagement of Funds, Fraudulent Conversion, and Diversion of Building Materials Amounting to Millions of Naira Belonging to the Nigerian Bar Association, Oleh Branch by Mr. A. T. Aniko Esq.”—signed by Igelige and submitted to the EFCC—the lawyer highlighted that the alleged misappropriation was uncovered through the association’s financial audit report.
The petition reads, “I write as a concern member of the NBA, Oleh Branch and as the head of Rockson Legal as regards to the above subject matter.
“Mr. Akpowowo Theophilus Aniko (also addressed as A.T. Aniko Esq) was the NBA Olen branch chairman from the date of 1st day of July 2020 to 30th day of June 2022 and during this period, it was found out from the financial report given by the Treasurer Barr. Gold Iteku that A.T. Anjko committed so much mismanagement, illegal conversion and diversion of funds and properties belong to the NBA Oleh branch.
“Several meetings have been called for proper accounting, but the said A.T. Anjko refused to refund the said fund, building materials belonging to NBA Oleh branch, hence this petition.
“These persons are executive members: Magdalene Ogorure, Faith Onyonyeworna and can be available to testify.”
At the time of filing this report, all efforts to contact the former NBA chairman were unsuccessful, as his mobile phone was switched off.
The NBA is a professional association for legal practitioners in Nigeria, committed to promoting the rule of law and fostering professional standards. The Oleh branch, located in Delta State’s Isoko South Local Government Area, is one of its numerous branches across the country.
In recent years, the NBA has been actively addressing issues of financial mismanagement and corruption within its ranks to uphold integrity and public trust.
