In obedience to the directive of Anambra State Nigerian Bar Association, lawyers in the state have deserted courts.
The state NBA had directed its members in Anambra to boycott all courts from Monday, March 22 to Wednesday 24 March 2021 over insecurity challenges. The directive followed the recent killing of an Onitsha based lawyer, Chief Francis Onwuachu, which the body attributed to the growing insecurity in the state.
On Monday, the lawyers trooped to the state to ventilate their displeasure over the worsening situation in the state.
The protest led to judges adjourning all cases in courts in the state.
A statement signed by the eight branch chairmen of NBA in the state, which was made available to reporters read: “The committee of chairmen and secretaries of the Nigeria Bar Association branches in Anambra State bemoans the worsening security situation in Anambra State and calls on the Federal Government, Anambra State government and heads of security agencies to wake up and be alive to their responsibilities of protecting lives and property of the citizens.”
The committee noted that the security situation in Anambra remained highly tensed up and frightening, to say the least.
“Recently, there had been cases of kidnap and gruesome murder/killing of innocent citizens and security personnel in the state and nothing is being done to curb these frightening security challenges in the state.
“Just last week Friday, a lawyer, Bar Frank Onwuachu, who is also, the President General of Omor in Ayamelum LGA of Anambra State was kidnapped along Ezu River/Anaku road and gruesomely murdered the following day by his captors.
“On 19/3/2021, two prison officers were killed at Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA and this is barely 24 hours after Naval officers and policemen were killed at Awkuzu and Neni respectively.
“Also, a Naval outpost close to Bridgehead, Onitsha was attacked sometime last week resulting in the killing of some Naval officers and their weapons carted away.
“The committee urgently calls on the state government to, as a matter of urgency, summon a meeting of various security agencies in the state to address this worrisome security situation and tackle it headlong. “Failure by the state government to act immediately may lead to descent to anarchy. We all cannot continue to downplay the security situation or pretend that all is well. The time to act is now.”