By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has appealed for the immediate release of its abducted former president, Okey Wali, SAN.
Wali was reportedly abducted by unknown gunmen in the early hours of yesterday after his convoy was attacked along the East–West Road, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
This is the second time the legal luminary would be abducted. METROWATCHXTRA.COM recalls that the 64-year-old was abducted by gunmen on October 11, 2014 in his community, Rumualogu, Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers. He was later released at about 11p.m. after 13 days in captivity.
In reaction to the news of Wali’s abduction, the current NBA president, Yakubu Maikyau, in a statement on Tuesday, appealed to the abductors to release the former NBA president to his family.
See the statement below;
PRESS RELEASE
NBA PRESIDENT APPEALS FOR RELEASE OF OKEY WALI, SAN
It has come to my attention that one of our respected elders and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Okey Wali, SAN was reportedly abducted in the early hours of yesterday, 17 April 2023, after his convoy was attacked along East–West Road, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Mr Okey Wali, SAN was the 26th President of the NBA and has served this nation in varying capacities, contributing immensely to the growth of legal practice and in the promotion and entrenchment of the rule of law. He is a known philanthropist who has helped in the development of his community in no small measure.
I, therefore, hereby plead with the abductors not to harm Mr Wali, SAN and make a passionate appeal for his release to his family.
The NBA stands with and assures his family of our full support in this trying period, even as we join in praying for his safe return home.
This ugly incident is yet another sad reminder of the weakness in our security system and the failure of successive governments to live up to the Constitutional duty of providing for the welfare and security of all Nigerians.
We urge the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, to leave no stone unturned as they work towards the safe release of our dear learned friend.
Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN