Mba Nkem, the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court (FHC) in Awka, Anambra State, is facing allegations of demanding between 20 to 30 litres of diesel from defendants granted bail. The accusations surfaced after several defendants and their legal counsel raised concerns regarding the requirement to provide diesel before their bail conditions could be finalized.
The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, confronted Nkem over the allegations. In her response, seen by SaharaReporters, Nkem explained the procedures surrounding bail verification, denying any personal gain from the collection of diesel.
She clarified that the court orders direct sureties to deposit refundable bank drafts in her name, which are placed in interest-bearing accounts at United Bank for Africa (UBA) until the trial concludes. "The bank drafts or any of the bail bonds are not for my personal enrichment," Nkem stated.
Nkem further explained that due to her workload, she delegated senior bailiffs to verify the bail conditions and provide her with reports. She attached copies of affidavits and verification documents submitted by the bailiffs to support her claim.
Addressing the diesel issue, Nkem explained that the court had faced severe power shortages, compounded by the theft of cables, leaving the court without electricity for nine months. "The quarterly subvention from court revenue barely covers our diesel needs," she said.
She disclosed that during court sessions, lawyers suggested contributing diesel to expedite the bail verification process, but clarified that those unable to provide diesel, such as in pro-bono cases, were still accommodated when leftover diesel was available. She emphasized that the diesel was never monetized and was used solely for the court's generator.
To maintain transparency, Nkem noted that she has an open-door policy and ensures a secretary is present during meetings with legal counsel or litigants. She expressed her willingness to be corrected if found negligent in her duties, attaching copies of bank drafts and court orders for further investigation.
In her concluding statement, Nkem reiterated that the court’s procedures for handling bail conditions and bank drafts were transparent, and invited further scrutiny to clear any doubts regarding the accusations.
The NBA President’s investigation into the matter is ongoing, as the legal community continues to follow the developments closely.
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