Nsukka lawyers boycott court sitting for the day over kidnapped member

Lawyers in Nsukka protest over kidnapped member

By Victor Ishiwu

Members of the Nigeria Bar Association, (NBA) Nsukka chapter filed out in their large numbers at various streets of Nsukka metropolis on November 14, 2016 to protest over their kidnapped member, Barr. Josephat Nzewi popularly known as Oha na Eze Ndi-Igbo who was abducted on Saturday, 12th November 2016 around Ugwu-Echara road in Nsukka.

Briefing news men at Nsukka Police Station, where they marched to register their dissatisfaction over the incident, the Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Nsukka branch Barr. Mrs. C. N. Onah noted that their major interest is to know whether he is still alive. She pleaded with the men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to employ all the arsenals within their reach in other to see to his immediate release.

Expressing fear over the incident, Barr. Onah noted that they are no longer safe in the society. She said: “I am saying that we are no longer safe in the society and we know that the office of “SARS” is capable and equipped to fight this crime. It is very rampant now. So we are here to ask you people to please step up your surveillance especially this season of Chrismass; we are troubled and that is why we have come out to tell the whole world that we are not happy.”

According to her, this is not the first time it is happening. She remarked that four of their members have been kidnapped this year. “First, R.C. Onah was kidnapped followed by Nnamdi Ogbonna, Charles Ugwuanyi and now Josephat  Nzewi is kidnapped,” she said.

She further explained that when these kidnappers run into trouble, they do come to them for solutions and they do help them. “But now I do not think that they will enjoy that type of privilege again. It is like biting the finger that feeds you,” she said.

Responding to the appeal made by the members of the association, Inspector John of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad firmly promised that his team will do their best in other to track the culprits down while noting that his challenges is that if such people are arrested and put into prison it is the same lawyers that will come and bail them the same day.

He equally noted that if the society is ready to fight this crime then it requires collaboration and collective responsibility. “Both the police, legal practitioners, community leaders and the public in general should corporate because these criminals are from your homes, streets, and communities,” he said.

The association was so sad over the occurrence and as a result boycotted court sitting for the day.