*Counters Mrs. Oduah, says she has been allowed to utilise NBA funds without checks

The 1st Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, John Aikpokpo-Martins Esq. has reacted to allegations of financial recklessness levelled against him by the Suspended General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mrs Joyce Oduah.

Mrs Oduah who has engaged the NBA leadership in a war of words since her suspension had earlier today alleged that she went into the bad books of John Aikpokpo-Martins following her refusal to approve more that a million Naira for 31 days in a 30k per day allowance for him. She stated that she also incurred the wrath of the Welfare Secretary, Kunle Edun when she refused to approve more that half a million Naira in a 14 days, 30k per day allowance.

Mrs Oduah explained that she refused to recommend the approval of the 30k per day allowance because she found it unacceptable that a National officer will stay in a hotel for 20 days and in another instance, for 11 days when the assignment he was on demands only few days. The NBA GS stated that it was in her resolve to be prudent with the Funds of the Association that she incurred the wrath of her fellow EXCO Members.

However, in a telephone interview with ASKLEGALPALACE, John Aikpokpo-Martins roundly refuted the allegations as mischievous and made in bad faith.

According to him, the said cost of around 1 Million Naira referenced by the suspended General Secretary was incurred during negotiations during the strike action embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in 2021 which he was part of the NBA delegation mandated to mediate the labour rift.

According to him, the bill arose from a cumulative period of about 21days and was paid directly to the management of Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja, which the NBA has a working partnership, insisting that he has never raised any memo for payment throughout his time in office.

He also noted that every National Officer is entitled to N30,000 per day as allowance for feeding, laundry and other miscellaneous expenses incurred during any official engagement on behalf of the Association and said all Officers have benefitted from it, including the General Secretary.

He said despite this, upon the intervention of the President, himself and the Welfare Secretary, Kunle Edun had to forgo half of their entitled sum, thereby incurring personal expenses during an official NBA engagement.

Hitting back at Mrs Oduah, he said, “Sometimes, I waive my right to refund for expenses during official assignments. But she (Mrs Oduah) will insist even if it is N10,000 (Ten Thousand Naira).

He continued “It is only the GS and the President that signs memo. Only the two of them! I have never signed any memo as an NBA Officer”.

According to the outgoing NBA 1st VP, Mrs Oduah benefitted more from this Association in terms of allowances and emoluments.

He said “First, she attended three international conferences. She went alone at the NBA expense. She was at the Bahamas, Finland and Tanzania for various conferences.”

He accused her of also travelling recklessly for no just cause for the sake of claiming money. “She will go to Abuja and sit in Abuja and be claiming money that she is in Abuja until the President restricted her movement to Abuja.

Furthermore, aside the President and the 1st Vice President, she is the only National Officer that has an official car.”

To worsen the case, “She travels and stays in hotels above approved NBA rate and incur debts for the Association” He said.