By Ogochukwu Isioma
Following the killing of the President of Ejemekwuru Customary Court, Nnaemeka Ugboma, in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, lawyers in the state will begin a three-day boycott of courtroom activities from Monday.
No fewer than five unknown gunmen had on Friday invaded the customary court, dragged the judge out while he was presiding over a session and shot him dead.
The five branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Imo, in a joint statement on Saturday, called for, among others, the provision of security personnel in all courts in the state.
The statement reads: “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 gunmen 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 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 with the murder of Mr. Ugboma.
“This dastardly act is highly condemnable as 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 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 judiciary, the Bar and the litigants as requested, we shall continue to review the situation and to take further necessary actions.”
