Story continues below advertisementThe threat followed a report by Premium Times that Maina, who was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in 2021, received an award from the Garki Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association last Thursday. Following public backlash, the national leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association dissociated itself from the award given to Maina by the Garki Branch. NBA President, Afam Osigwe, condemned the action and announced the commencement of disciplinary proceedings against the branch chairman, Anthony Ojo. Background to Maina’s convictionMaina was appointed during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to reform Nigeria’s pension system through biometric verification. “We stand by our story and will continue to report fearlessly and accurately to hold power to account.”