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Lawyers in Imo State will on Monday begin a three day boycott of courtroom activities to register their annoyance over the killing of the magistrate incharge of Ejemekwuru customary court in the Oguta Local Government Area of the state.
Some gunmen had Thursday invaded the customary court and shot dead the magistrate, Nnaemeka Ugboma, while he was presiding a session.
The magistrate’s killing had generated public outcry leading to lawyers in the state calling on the police to arrest and persecute the suspects.
A statement on Saturday jointly issued by the chairmen of the five branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in the state, called for the provision of security personnel in all courts in the state among other demands.
The statement signed by D. U. ALINNOR for Owerri Branch. B. A. MUNONYE, for Orlu Branch. AMBROSE UGBAJA for Mbaise Branch, E. A. OCHIONU for Okigwe Branch and RICHARD ANYANWU
for Mbano/Etiti branch decried the constant attacks on judicial officers and facilities in the state.
The statement read “The branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in Imo State (Imo Bar) deplores the cold blooded murder of a judicial officer, His Worship Nnaemeka Ugboma, Esq., who was shot point blank in Court by yet to be identified gun men on the 2nd of February, 2023.
“On receipt of the news, the Owerri branch of the Nigerian Bar Association promptly engaged lawyers within the affected jurisdiction as well as staff of the affected court, who confirmed the incident. We also convened an emergency meeting and further contacted the heads of the judiciary particularly the Chief Judge of Imo State and the President of the Customary Court of Appeal Imo State.
“The Commissioner of Police Imo State has also received a request from us 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.
“The Imo Bar notes with deep concern that the attacks on judicial institutions have become a disturbing trend in Imo State and has taken an unfortunate turn by the murder of Mr. Ugboma.
“This dastardly act is highly condemnable as it desecrates the temple of justice and undermines the confidence of the citizens in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
“The Bar therefore calls on the Imo State Government to provide, with immediate effect, 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.
“In the circumstance, the members of the NBA in Imo State have resolved to boycott all courts in Imo State starting from Monday 6th February 2023 to Wednesday 8th February 2023, in other to register their displeasure with the current state of affairs.
“Until the members of the Bar in Imo State are sufficiently assured of the safety of the judiciarty, the Bar and the litigants as requested, we shall continue to review the situation and to take further necessary actions.”
Police trail killers
Meanwhile, the Imo State police command has said that it has began a manhunt for the killers of the magistrate incharge of Ejemekwuru customary court in the Oguta Local Government Area of the state, Nnaemeka Ugboma.
In a statement issued by the spokesperson for the police in the state, Henry Okoye, the command said that the corpse of the slain jurist had Ben evacuated from the scene with investigation launched into the murder case with a view to arresting the fleeing suspects.The statement read “On 02/02/2023, at about 1245hrs, about five armed gunmen stormed Ejemekuru Customary Court in Oguta LGA of Imo State, shot the customary court president, Nnemeka Ugboma ‘m’ from Oguta LGA and dumped his corpse at the back of the Court Building, corpse have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary.
“Investigation is ongoing, tactical teams have been deployed to the area to track down the assilants, apprehend them and brought to face the full wrath of the Law. Further development will be communicated to members of the public.
