Connect with us

News

Imo lawyers boycott court over judge’s murder

Published

on

Lawyers in Imo state have said they will begin a three-day boycott on Monday following the murder of the magistrate responsible for Ejemekwuru’s customary court in the state’s Oguta Local Government Area.

Gunmen had entered the court on Thursday and shot dead the magistrate identified as Nnaemeka Ugboma.

In response to the development, the five branches of the Nigerian bar association in the state announced in a statement that they were staying outside the courts for three days as a measure to tell the government that judicial staff in the state are not happy.

The statement signed by the presidents of the branches, DU Alinnor for Owerri Branch; BA Munonye, ​​Orlu branch; Ambrose Ugbaja, Mbaise affiliate; EA Ochionu, Okigwe Branch, and Richard Anyanwu for Mbano/Etiti branch, denounced the continued attacks on bailiffs and facilities in the state.

The statement read: “The NBA branches in Imo State (Imo Bar) deplore the cold-blooded killing of a bailiff, Nnaemeka Ugboma, who was shot in court on Feb. 2 by a number of yet-to-be-identified gunmen. , 2023.

“Upon receiving the news, the NBA’s Owerri chapter immediately engaged attorneys in the affected jurisdiction, as well as personnel from the court involved, who confirmed the incident. We also called an emergency meeting and further contacted the heads of the judiciary, in particular the Chief Justice of Imo State and the President of the Customary Court of Appeal of Imo State.

“The Commissioner of Police has also received a request from us to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the circumstances leading up to the unfortunate incident and to ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought under the full weight of the law. come to stand.

“The Imo Bar notes with deep concern that the attacks on judicial institutions have become a disturbing trend in the state and have taken an unfortunate turn with the murder of Ugboma.

“This dastardly act is deeply reprehensible because it desecrates the temple of justice and undermines the citizens’ confidence in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

“The bar therefore calls on the state government to immediately provide security in and around all courts in the state, which have remained porous despite the sensitive role they play in society.

“The Imo Bar, in accordance with the NBA National Body, ably led by YC Maikyau, SAN, firmly opposes the attempt to undermine and instill fear in the judicial and legal professions in conducting legal proceedings. Citizens should also be aware that bailiffs and lawyers are not their enemies or opponents, they only assist in the administration of justice.

“Under these circumstances, the members of the NBA in Imo State have decided to boycott all courts in Imo State from Monday, February 6, 2023 to Wednesday, February 8, 2023, to express their dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.”

“Until bar members are adequately assured of the safety of the judiciary, bar and litigants, as requested, we will continue to assess the situation and take further necessary action.”

Meanwhile, police in the state have said they are on the trail of the magistrate’s killers.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *