…Disown Unauthorised Claims to Trusteeship

By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Caucus of State and Zonal Chairmen of the Nigeria Association of Auctioneers (NAA) has distanced itself from a group it says is not authorised to act as trustees of the Association, reiterating that the leadership of President Alhaji Musa Kurra remains the one recognised by the courts and the Association’s constitution.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Caucus Chairman Alhaji Garba Japan said the Association is guided strictly by its constitution and by court directives, and therefore cannot acknowledge any group or meeting not aligned with these legal instruments.

Japan explained that the leadership question in the NAA had been clarified by a National Industrial Court judgment delivered on July 20, 2023, which dissolved the previous executive and directed that national elections be conducted. He noted that the Association held its Annual General Meeting and election on October 28, 2023, where Alhaji Musa Kurra was elected National President, with the outcome formally communicated to the court.

He added that references to any future election not aligned with the court’s directives do not reflect the Association’s recognised processes.

Japan also said the Caucus does not acknowledge any claim to a Caretaker Committee structure, citing a Supreme Court judgment of February 12, 2025, which, according to him, stated that the Association’s constitution does not make provision for such an arrangement.

He emphasised that the NAA remains committed to following due process in all administrative matters and that any issues concerning the Association’s records or documentation are being handled through the appropriate regulatory channels.

The Caucus reaffirmed its confidence in the leadership of Alhaji Musa Kurra, stating that he is recognised as National President by the Association’s zonal and state leadership structures as well as by existing court directives.