Crisis has broken out at the llorin branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) as chairman of the branch, Mobolaji Ojibara, is said to have been removed from office.

A group of the members of the association had about two weeks ago commenced impeachment proceeding against him over alleged abuse of office and mismanagement of fund while his removal was announced on Monday reportedly at a congress of the association.

Ojibara and those loyal to him, however, denounced the claim of the removal as they, in turn, announced that those behind the action had been suspended from the association indefinitely.

But, Rafiu Balogun, a former chairman of the branch who is said to be one of those allegedly suspended said he was disturbed by what was going on in the association.

He said contrary to claims by the Ojibara's group, Article 25 of the NBA Constitution clearly states that congresses cannot be held in August and December.

Ojibara told newsmen that contrary to the claims by his opponents, the congress of the association passed a vote of confidence in him and recommended members of the immediate past executive council of the association led by Balogun who are believed to be behind the impeachment moves, for investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The resolution of the congress, as Ojibara briefed newsmen, states reasons for suspension of the people as "suspected false and fraudulent accounting and for their respective roles in causing the branch unprecedented financial embarrassment and loss in the guise of reconstruction of the Bar Centre of the branch."

The resolution said the congress agreed to forward their names to the disciplinary committee of the association over their alleged conduct in the impeachment saga.

It adds that the congress also agreed to forward the names of the suspended members to the national secretariat of the association and security agencies for 'notification, record and surveillance.'

But earlier, the anti-Ojibara group had issued a statement which disclosed removal of the chairman from office.

The statement signed by Yahaya Alajo, Assistant General Secretary, reads: "The impeachment proceeding against Mr. Mobolaji Ojibara as the NBA Ilorin chairman was considered and resolved today in a General Meeting held at the Bar Centre. The meeting was attended by over 50 members of the association.

"Dr. Ibrahim Abikan, while at the meeting addressed the congress, adding that the motion for impeachment earlier moved by 16 members and seconded by 18 members was not opposed by Mr. Ojibara or any other member of the Association.

"t was accordingly resolved that since there was no response to the allegations of financial reckelessnes, abuse of office and subversion of the bye-law of the association, Mr. Mobolaji Ojibara thereby stand impeached. The session, though rowdy, Mr. Ojibara was successfully impeached."