Following the murder of a Customary Court judge, Nnaemeka Ugboma, in Imo State last week, the five branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in the State have commenced a three-day boycott of court, to demand safety for members of the judiciary, Bar, and litigants.
Ugboma, who hailed from Oguta, was dragged out during from a court sitting and shot dead by unknown gunmen on Thursday, February 2, 202e.
The NBA branches include Owerri, Mbaise, Etiti/Mbano, Orlu, and Okigwe, all in Imo State.
In a notice to members, the Publicity Secretary of Owerri branch of the NBA, Daniel Odiba, said the boycott runs from Monday to Wednesday.
The notice disclosed that there will be a “coordinated peaceful protest march” on Tuesday “by all the lawyers in Imo State, from the Bar Centre, Magistrate Court complex, Orlu Road, Owerri, to the Government House, Owerri and the Police Headquarters. Take off time is 10:00am.”
LEADERSHIP gathered that already, the lawyers have demanded for “an immediate and thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident and to ensure that the culprits are apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law” from the State’s Police Commissioner, Mohammed Ahmed Barde.
The lawyers also called on the Imo State government to immediately provide “security in and around all the courts in Imo State, which have remained porous despite the sensitive role they play in the society.
“The Imo Bar, in consonance with the national body of the NBA, ably led by Y.C. Maikyau, OON, SAN, firmly resists the attempt to undermine the judiciary and the legal profession, and instill fear in the conduct of judicial proceedings. Also, citizens need to be aware that judicial officers and lawyers are not their enemies or opponents; they only aid in the administration of justice,” the lawyers demanded in a joint statement by the five branch chairmen.
However, some litigants, who condemned the killing of the judge, lamented the boycott by the lawyers, saying the directive came after they had paid appearance fees for the day.
