The Nigerian Auctioneers Association (NAA) on Thursday, alleged that former official Mr. Benjamin Abhulimen Isibor is impersonating the office of the association’s president and misrepresenting its position on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s asset disposal process.

The association, which described itself as the apex regulatory body for auctioneering practice in Nigeria, also reaffirmed its confidence in the EFCC’s electronic auction system, saying the Commission has made significant improvements to ensure transparency and accountability in the disposal of forfeited assets.

President of the Association, Alhaji Musa Kurra, disclosed this in Abuja during a press briefing, saying the association was compelled to respond following media reports published on July 27, 2026, in which Isibor allegedly presented himself as the President of the NAA and criticised the EFCC‘s auction process.

Kurra described the claims as false, misleading and a violation of a subsisting judgment of the National Industrial Court.

He explained that the election was conducted pursuant to the judgment of the National Industrial Court sitting in Bauchi, delivered on July 26, 2023, which directed the association to conduct fresh elections within three months and submit the results to the court.

Kurra said: “The duly elected and bona fide President of the Nigerian Auctioneers Association is Alhaji Musa Kurra. Kurra was duly elected at the last NAA National Delegates Conference in Ibadan, Oyo State, on 28th October, 2023, for a period of 4 years.

“The Ibadan conference was a sequel to the order of the National Industrial Court, Bauchi, dated July 26, 2023, which mandated the NAA to conduct the election within three months and present the results to the presiding judge.

“Kurra emerged victorious, and his election was duly recognized and affirmed by the judicial authorities. Therefore, any person parading himself in any other capacity is doing so illegally.”

He disclosed that contempt proceedings are already pending before the National Industrial Court in Bauchi against the individuals allegedly impersonating the association’s leadership.

Kurra further revealed that the individual had once served as National Secretary of the association between 2013 and 2021 but was removed following the National Industrial Court judgment, which dissolved the former executive after members challenged their continued stay in office beyond their constitutional tenure.

According to him, the court judgment remains valid because it has neither been appealed nor set aside.

Kurra displayed copies of the judgment and proof of service before journalists, insisting that the respondents had already been served with the contempt proceedings. Adding that, “The judgment has not been challenged anywhere. It has not been appealed, and it remains valid and subsisting. Any member of the public or the media can verify it at the National Industrial Court.”

Kurra said just as no one can claim to be President of Nigeria while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains constitutionally in office, no individual whose tenure has expired can lawfully claim to be president of the association.

He added, “If someone today claims to be the President of Nigeria while President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is still in office, what would you call such a person? In the same way, someone whose tenure has expired cannot lawfully claim to be President of this association.

“NAA acknowledges and commends the EFCC leadership for its consistent efforts in conducting public auctions in a transparent, accountable and digitised manner through the E-Auction platform. The Commission listened to our professional recommendations and implemented the necessary improvements.”

The NAA president also defended the EFCC against allegations regarding the disposal of forfeited assets, commending the anti-graft agency under its Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, for introducing a transparent electronic auction platform.

According to him, the digital system has reduced human interference, expanded public participation and strengthened accountability in asset disposal.

He noted that NAA members have actively participated in EFCC auctions nationwide and acknowledged that while there were initial operational challenges, the Commission addressed the concerns after engaging with the association.

He maintained that the association would continue to insist on strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act and other relevant laws governing public asset disposal.

He disclosed that the association had already reported the alleged impersonation to the Force Intelligence Department (FID), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies.