The President, Volunteers Of good governance, Comrade Raphael Atuu has debunked what it described as a series of “false and misleading claims” being circulated by a group allegedly impersonating the leadership of auctioneers in the country.
Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, the President said the individuals behind the publications including a group of importers were parading themselves as executives of the nation’s auctioneering body despite lacking any legal or constitutional legitimacy.
Comrade Atuu reaffirmed that the only recognized leadership of auctioneers in Nigeria remains the executive council led by Alhaji Kiliya, noting that his tenure is “valid, subsisting, and backed by law.”
The association emphasized that the Kiliya-led leadership has won all legal battles instituted against it, including cases decided at the High Court, Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court. It stressed that the courts had consistently upheld the legitimacy of the current national executive.
” Constitution of the auctioneers and the association’s internal regulations do not empower trustees to dissolve a democratically elected executive or speak on behalf of the association. Matters relating to petitions, the association said, are handled by an internal committee specifically established for that purpose”.
Comrade Atuu accused the impostors of causing reputational damage by granting media interviews and spreading falsehoods against duly elected officials, actions which the association says have negatively affected members’ businesses.
I condemned what it described as a “so-called media parley” recently organized by an unidentified individual allegedly posing as the association’s president.
I described the development as reckless, misleading, and capable of creating confusion within the auctioneering industry.
The body also has a commitee that looks into pettions, and the trustees has no right to announce anything or relate with the media on behalf of national association of Auctioneers, except the public relations officer of the association. Comrade Atuu stated
I think the group have also committed serious damages by going to spoil the reputation of the people mentioned and it can affect their business widely and this is bad.
” I called on security agencies, regulatory institutions, and the judiciary to investigate the activities of the alleged impostors and take decisive action to protect the integrity of the profession”.
Comrade Atuu urged the public to disregard the circulating claims and continue to engage only with the legally recognized leadership headed by Alhaji Kiliya.
