Anambra Lawyers Go On Strike Over Rising Insecurity

Lawyers in Anambra State Monday commenced a three-day boycott of all Courts in the state to protest against what they called the worsening security situation in the state, which has claimed the life of an Onitsha-based lawyer, Chief Francis Onwuachi.

Onwuachi, who was also the President General of Omor community in Ayamelum Local Government Area, of the state, was allegedly killed by kidnappers who abducted him.

A statement by the Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of the Nigerian Bar Association Branches in Anambra State, directed all lawyers in the state to converge at the Judiciary Headquarters, Awka on Monday, 22, March 2021, for onward movement to the Government House, Awka to express their dissatisfaction with the current security situation in Anambra State.

The statement which was signed by Chairman NBA, Onitsha Branch and Chairman, of all NBA Branches in Anambra State, Mr. Onyechi Ononye, his counterparts from  Awka Branch, Mr. Ekene Okonkwo, Anaocha Branch, Mr. Kaine Ananwune, Otuocha Branch, Mr A.U Okafor, Nnewi Branch, Mr Kingsley Awuka, Idemili Branch,  Mr B.E Ewulum PhD, immediate past Chairman of all Chairmen and Ihiala Branch Chairman, Mr Vitalis Ihedigbo and Aguata Branch, Mr Abel Ofoma, bemoaned the  worsening security situation in the State and called on the Federal Government, Anambra State Government and heads of Security agencies in the state to wake up to their responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of the citizens.

The Committee noted that, “The security situation in Anambra State is highly tensed up and frightening to say the least. Recently, there have been cases of kidnap and gruesome murder/killing of innocent citizens and security personnel in the State and nothing is being done to curb this frightening security challenges in the State.”

“Just last week Friday, a Lawyer, Bar Francis Onwuachi, who is also the President General of Omor in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, was kidnapped along Ezu River/Anaku road and gruesomely murdered the following day by his captors.

“On Friday March, 19, 2021, two Prison Officers were killed at Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area and this is barely 24 hours after Naval Officers and Policemen were killed at Awkuzu and Neni respectively.

“Also, a Naval Outpost close to Niger Bridgehead, was attacked sometimes last week resulting to the killings 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 situations and tackle it headlong.

“Failure by the State Government to act immediately may lead to a descent to anarchy. We all cannot continue to downplay the Security situation or pretend that all is well. The time to act is now.”

NBA, Anambra State, however, condoled with the NBA Otuocha Branch, the families of late Bar Francis Onwuachi and all security men killed by unknown gun men and prays that their souls rest in peace.

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