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The Benin Bar (Lion Bar) in strong terms condemn the worsening and deteriorating security situation in Edo State owing to the activities of armed bandits who have laid siege in the entire state which is no longer safe for indigenes and foreigners.
Recall that about a month ago, the Bar called off the boycott of courts in respect of cases of Armed Robbery and Kidnapping which was in force since 17th of April, 2019. The Resolution leading to the boycott was prompted by the rising trend of kidnap of Lawyers and other indigenes of our dear State and the rampant incidence of Armed Robbery which in fact needed a declaration of as state of emergency in our state.
Few days ago, Hon. Justice Abdu Dogo of the Federal High Court, Akure division, was a guest to the armed bandits who abducted him around Ibilo axis in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
Sadly, like the broad daylight wanton operation on the busy Ramat Park few weeks ago leading to the abduction of the Chief Medical Director of the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and the killing of police officers attached to him. HON. JUSTICE NWOSU-IHEME, PhD, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Benin Division was on 30th October, 2019 about noon abducted by gunmen along Benin-Agbor Road; His Lordship’s orderly was not spared as he was brutally gunned down while other occupants of the vehicle were hit by bullets but receiving treatments at the hospital.
The Bar hereby relaunches its call on the Government at all levels particularly Edo State to as a matter of urgency overhaul the security architecture of the State. The security of lives and property is the responsibility of Government. Our Judicial Officers must also be given adequate security in their homes, work place and on the whole on a journey. Lawyers and indeed other citizens must be adequately protected.
The Bar on this note appeals to the abductors to release His Lordship, HON. JUSTICE NWOSU-IHEME, PhD unconditionally and unhurt. We however want to state that we will not hesitate to resume our Boycott of Courts should Government fails to secure the release of His Lordship within Seventy-Two (72) Hours.
In this light, the Nigerian Bar Association (Lion Bar), Benin Branch shall be calling an Extra Ordinary Emergency Meeting on Friday the 1st day of November, 2019 at 2:00pm at the NBA, Benin Bar House, G.R.A., Benin City.
For: NBA Benin Branch
Prince Collins Benson Ogiegbaen Chairman,
PiusI. Oiwoh, ESQ.
Secretary
