Owerri, Imo State — Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch in Imo State, have reportedly impeached Chairman, Mazi Udegbulem, and installed Vice-Chairman Onumajulu Kingstonjoe Ekezie as his successor.
The reported leadership change follows a dispute over the management of ₦100 million donated to the branch by the Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Reports on November 10 shows that members impeached Udegbulem amid allegations of financial mismanagement and unauthorised spending.
However, detailed records of a final removal vote, attendance, voting results, and signed resolution were not available in that report.
The NBA’s Owerri Branch website continued to list Udegbulem as chairman and Ekezie as vice-chairman when reviewed.
The reported handover and the branch’s online executive listing therefore appear inconsistent.
Moreover, the leadership change could not be independently confirmed from the available material.
NBA dispute centres on ₦100 million donation
A five-member investigation committee was constituted at an extraordinary branch meeting on October 15.
Their duty was to examine the application for, receipt, management, and disbursement of the donation.
The committee’s October 31 report said the branch received ₦100 million on August 24, 2026, to support members attending the NBA Annual General Conference.
It reported that ₦34 million was transferred to five recipients on the day the funds arrived, saying the purpose of some payments was unclear.
The committee also questioned how reported conference logistics spending of about ₦42 million related to a ₦34 million cheque.
Its report alleged gross misappropriation and breaches of NBA rules and recommended an independent audit and possible disciplinary proceedings.
Those findings are allegations by the committee, not a court ruling or independently established finding of personal wrongdoing.
Udegbulem, meanwhile, has been impeached and Ekezie named as his replacement.
Udegbulem denies wrongdoing, Ekezie takes over
Udegbulem previously denied misappropriating the grant, telling Punch that branch records could account for the donation and its expenditure.
He said the branch had sought government support for several projects, including solar panels, air conditioners, buses, and health insurance.
He also said the branch executive committee approved the projects and that a general meeting later ratified the spending.
The chairman said he accepted leadership responsibility and was willing to present original documents before a lawful investigative body.
Separately, reports said he challenged the branch investigation and meeting decisions in court.
The available reports describe an ongoing dispute which resulted in the ascension of Ekezie.
They do not establish that a court has ruled on the committee’s allegations or the impeachment’s validity.
Ekezie: Questions remain over NBA succession process
A former branch secretary has questioned whether the removal process complied with the NBA Uniform Bye-Laws.
He argued that the rules require advance written notice and a two-thirds majority of financial members present and voting.
Likewise, reports show that details needed to assess procedural compliance, including the final vote and signed resolution, were unavailable.
The reported appointment of Ekezie as successor would mark a significant development in the branch’s leadership dispute if formally confirmed.
Ekezie had served as vice-chairman after Udegbulem’s election in June, according to The Nation.
The branch’s official website still listed both men in those roles when checked, leaving the status of the reported transition unclear.
