Friday, 10 August 2012

KIDNAPPING:: LAWYERS PROTEST, SHUN COURTS

NBA strike cripples courts in Delta State
…Lawyers to stop handling cases of kidnap

Activities in courts across Delta State were today paralyzed following protest by various chapters of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over the fate of Justice Marcel Okoh, who was kidnapped on Tuesday by unknown gunmen.

The lawyers in Warri and environs have also resolved to stop handling cases of kidnap because of the fates of its members, their families and judges in the state.

Checks this morning at the Effurun and Warri high courts revealed that lawyers adhered to the boy court order.

Justice Okoh’s abduction came barely months after his elevation to the exalted position. He was on his way to serve as a vacating judge in Warri, when he was snatched at Abraka by yet unknown gunmen.

It was gathered that high court judges across the state are expected to join the court boycott until the embattled Justice Okoh is released by the kidnappers.

The development followed a crucial meeting by the NBA in Warri, Asaba and Ogwashi-Uku yesterday afternoon.

A communiqué issued at the end of the Warri meeting demanded government’s action on the prevailing incidents of abduction in the state.

The document signed by Chief Gweke Akudihor and Oghenero Okoro, Chairman and Secretary of the branch respectively, expressed dismay over the worrisome development and called on abductors to release the judge immediately and unconditionally.

“We consider this wicked and criminal act as a confrontation to the state as it is unimaginable that hoodlums could contemplate on abducting a person as highly respected High Court judge of the state judiciary”, said the lawyers.

“Regrettably, judges and their relatives have had more than a fair share of this unwarranted and shameful situation with the government and its security agencies being unable to do anything about it”, lamented the association.

The branch chairman, Chief Gweke also restated the association’s resolve that its members would stop handling kidnap cases.

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