A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Muritala Abdul-Rasheed, has called for the immediate resignation of the President of the (NBA), Afam Osigwe, citing an alleged loss of confidence among members and concerns over ethical breaches.

Abdul-Rasheed accused the NBA president of abandoning the association’s long-standing tradition of institutional neutrality and descending into open partisanship ahead of the 2026 NBA elections, a development he said has shaken the moral foundation of the office.

The SAN expressed particular concern over revelations from the NBA National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Maiduguri, where it was reported that the administration allegedly paid $2,000 to each SAN present, described as an “attendance fee.” He noted that the payment was reportedly not extended to other NEC members and delegates who attended the same meeting.

According to Abdul-Rasheed, there is no provision or recognised practice within the NBA that allows a third party, especially a state government, to pay attendance fees to selected categories of lawyers at a statutory bar meeting. He further stated that NBA policy requires full disclosure and remittance of any gifts or financial benefits linked to official activities into the association’s accounts, not private retention.

He also questioned the legality and propriety of the alleged payments, raising issues about the selective distribution, the use of foreign currency, and whether the expenditure was provided for under Borno State’s appropriation law.

Abdul-Rasheed urged the , in his capacity as Chairman of the General Council of the Bar, to intervene by calling the NBA president to order and prevailing on him to step aside in the interest of the profession.

He also called on the Body of Benchers and the Body of Past Presidents of the NBA to break their silence, warning that failure to act could further erode the credibility and ethical standing of the association.