The recent attempt by the Past President of AWLA Nigeria, Mrs. Mandy Demechi Asagba, to describe the present and duly constituted AWLA Nigeria as a “break-away faction” raises serious questions which deserve clear and unequivocal answers.
For the avoidance of doubt, the history of AWLA Nigeria cannot be rewritten to suit present circumstances.
Mrs. Mandy Demechi Asagba served as President of AWLA Nigeria for approximately five years (2015-2020) before selecting and hanging over to the Executive leadership led by Mrs. Efe Etomi who were unanimously accepted by the house to serve as EXCO. Mrs. Efe Etomi in turn, conducted the subsequent election and handed over to the current President, Mrs. Caroline Ibharunefe, Esq. and her executive officers.
This is the established succession of leadership.
It is also important to state that, after handing over to Mrs. Efe Etomi, Esq., Mrs. Mandy Demechi Asagba, who is yet to answer to disciplinary committee on Finances of the Association till date, created her own organisation also known as “Awla Nigeria,” reportedly led by a Mrs. Orire. That organisation is being used to impersonate or present itself as the bona fide, duly registered AWLA Nigeria, despite the established succession and recognised structure of the Association to decieve unsuspecting members of the public.
It therefore becomes necessary to ask:
1. On what legal or constitutional basis was a parallel body created and presented as “AWLA Nigeria”?
Did the former President have the locus to establish or sponsor a parallel organisation, reportedly led by Mrs. Orire, and give it the name AWLA Nigeria, simply because she was dissatisfied with, or unable to influence, the outcome of the election that produced the present administration?
An election does not become illegitimate merely because its outcome is not preferred by a former office holder.
2. Where is the purported “AWLA International” that is now being paraded as the parent organisation of AWLA Nigeria?
What is its legal status?
Where is it registered?
Who are its duly appointed trustees?
What is its constitution?
What is its governing instrument?
What is the legal relationship between this purported “AWLA International” and the already existing and registered AWLA Nigeria?
Most importantly, how does an allegedly unregistered entity suddenly become the parent body of an existing and registered Nigerian organisation?
The burden of establishing that legal relationship lies with those making the assertion.
3. On what basis are the accounts and funds of AWLA Nigeria still being withheld and operated?
the accounts and/or funds belonging to AWLA Nigeria and its members have remained under the control of a former President years after she left office, and she has been operating same. What is the legal authority for such continued control?
By what constitutional provision or lawful mandate can a former office holder continue to operate, control, or withhold the financial resources of an association after handing over?
Association funds are not personal property. They belong to the Association and, ultimately, its members.
4. Who authorised the continued operation of those accounts?
Was there a resolution of the Association?
Was there a court order?
Was there any other lawful instrument authorising a former President who had handed over office to continue exercising financial control?
These are not trivial questions. They concern corporate identity, constitutional governance, fiduciary responsibility, accountability and the protection of members’ funds.
It is therefore unfortunate that legitimate questions concerning succession, registration, governance and financial accountability are being reduced to accusations that the duly constituted AWLA Nigeria is merely a “break-away faction.”
The facts speak for themselves.
AWLA Nigeria did not break away from itself.
Leadership was handed over through successive administrations.
The present administration did not create AWLA Nigeria.
It inherited and continues to administer the Association through the recognised structures of the organisation.
If anyone asserts otherwise, then the appropriate place to establish that assertion is through documentary evidence and the law, not through social media narratives, personal claims or revisionist history.
No individual, regardless of how long she served in office or the position she presently claims, is bigger than the organisation.
Leadership is temporary.
Office is held in trust.
Institutions outlive individuals.
And where there are legitimate questions concerning the identity, governance, registration, finances or assets of an association, accountability must prevail over personal interests.
The women who built AWLA Nigeria deserve better than an endless contest over personal ownership of an institution that belongs to its members.
AWLA Nigeria is an institution, not an individual possession.
The present leadership remains committed to protecting the integrity, identity, assets and legitimate interests of AWLA Nigeria and its members.
The time has come for facts, documents and the law to speak.
Grace Ajaegbo, Ph.D
Public Relations Officer,
AWLA Nigeria