The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Treasurer, Caroline Anze-Bishop, has called for an independent audit of the association’s finances to ascertain the true financial status.

This comes after NBA President Yakubu Maikyau SAN accused her and other national officers of financial fraud at the recent NBA Annual General Meeting.

In a statement, Anze-Bishop denied the allegations and said an urgent audit would reveal the facts and expose any culprits. She claims there was never a meeting where officers agreed to share N40 million received from Kebbi State as alleged.

Anze-Bishop also refuted that Maikyau personally funds aides, stating NBA payroll shows he retains 3 aides contrary to his claims. She dismissed accusations of fighting over Bar Practicing Fees distribution and foreign trip lobbying.

The Treasurer said Maikyau has acted as prosecutor, judge and executioner and challenged him to provide evidence backing his accusations which she says ridicule officers’ integrity. She demands a retraction and public apology.

Anze-Bishop further called for an Extraordinary General Meeting to conclude the inconclusive AGM and resolve her pending petition. She maintained she is not a thief and that an urgent independent audit will exonerate her.

With anti-graft agencies likely to probe the NBA soon, the audit could reveal the true financial status and alleged improprieties. But the widening rift between national officers spells trouble for the legal body.