The Nigeria Association of Auctioneers (NAA) has firmly dismissed attempts by what it describes as "unknown impostors" to claim leadership of the professional body, reaffirming that Alhaji Musa Kurra remains the only court-recognized president of the association.
Grassroots Leadership Stands Firm
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the caucus of state and zonal chairmen, led by Chairman Garba Japan, strongly condemned what they termed a charade staged by individuals without constitutional authority. "We are the grassroots; we are the structure," Japan declared, completely dissociating the legitimate association from a so-called 'Stakeholders' Meeting' held on November 15.
The caucus emphasized that the gathering represented nothing more than impostors attempting to mislead the public about the association's legitimate leadership.
Court Judgments Validate Current Leadership
The association pointed to clear legal backing for their position, citing the landmark judgment delivered on July 20, 2023 by the National Industrial Court in Suit No: NICN/BAU/02/2023. In this ruling, Hon. Justice Mustapha Tijjani dissolved the former executives led by Alhaji Aliyu Kiliya, whose tenure had expired after ten years in office.
According to the chairman, the court further mandated that an Annual General Meeting (AGM) and national election be conducted on or before October 31, 2023. "In strict compliance with the Court Order, the Association held its AGM and National Election on October 28, 2023," Japan stated. Alhaji Musa Kurra emerged as the substantive National President, with the election outcome duly reported to the court as required.
Illegal Committees and Contempt Concerns
The caucus strongly criticized claims about planning an election for 2026, describing such talk as baseless and contemptuous of the court's ruling. "You cannot schedule an election for a seat that is already legally occupied. Such actions amount to Contempt of Court," Japan emphasized.
Similarly, the emergence of an alleged Caretaker Committee faced sharp rejection, with the caucus noting that the Supreme Court judgement of February 12, 2025 clearly states that the Association's constitution does not recognize such a structure. Despite this ruling, individuals including Ms. Salamatu Abdullahi continue to parade themselves under that title in open defiance of the court.
The chairman raised serious concerns about alleged collaboration between these impostors and officials in Federal Government agencies, facilitating questionable asset disposals that bypass due process and fail to remit revenue to government coffers. "These impostors were compromised by officials within some MDAs. They participated in irregular asset disposals, and when President Kurra insisted on transparency, they turned around to undermine him," he revealed.
The caucus also expressed alarm about alleged unlawful tampering with the Association's Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) file, which currently remains under caveat protection.
In a final show of support, the caucus passed a total vote of confidence in Alhaji Musa Kurra, affirming him as the only National President recognized by both the courts and all zonal and state chapters of the association.
