… we’ll rescue kidnapped lawyer, serve justice – Soludo
By Joseph Albert
A human rights activist, Barrister Anthony Kelechi Agbasiere, has expressed concern over attachment of police (public) officers paid from the public coffers to private individuals while the public space is left porous because of resultant shortage in manpower.
Barrister Agbasiere, who spoke in Awka during the peaceful protest organized by Anambra lawyers over recent kidnap and killing of their members, called on the Inspector General of Police to direct immediate withdrawal of the officers attached to private individuals to ensure that there are more hands protecting members of the public, adding that the individuals often use the officers for selfish purposes.
He described the recent kidnap of Barrister Chukwubuikem Azoro, Secretary of Idemili branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, who is still in custody of his captors, and the killing of Principal State Counsel and Vice Chairman of NBA Ihiala branch, Barrister Peter Awa, as special cases that require special and urgent measures to address.
He described the security situation in the state and Nigeria at large as alarming and condemnable, noting that right to life is inalienable, which in social contract; citizens relinquish such right to the government, and section 4 of the Nigeria constitution as amended mandated the Police as public officers to protect.
Barrister Agbasiere, who added his voice in calling on the government to ensure that their kidnapped member is rescued unhurt, as well as fish out and bring to justice perpetrators of the heinous crimes in order to prevent future occurrence, also called for compensation of the family of the slain colleague.
Earlier, the Chairman, Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries, NBA branches, Anambra State, Barrister Izuchukwu Nsofor, who narrated recent security breaches in the state, called for improve security in the state for the safety of lawyers and other residents.
Contributing, the Chairman of NBA Awka branch, Barrister Bona Oraekwe, who admitted that collapse in security architecture is not peculiar to Anambra, however called for stronger measures to address the challenge.
Acknowledging that cultism, kidnapping and related offenses go together, the former Anambra lawmaker commended the amendment of anti cultism law in the state that helps in addressing security challenges in the state.
On his part, an Awka-based lawyer, Mr Oluchukwu Udemezue, urged the government to rise to the occasion and restore security for residents of the state.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, represented by his Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, after listening to the lawyers, assured that his government will do everything possible to rescue the kidnapped lawyer, even as he vowed to bring killers of the slain lawyer to book.
Governor Soludo, who stated that security of lives and property of residents remains top priority of his administration, said his government in collaboration with the police and other security agencies in the state will continue to do the needful to win the war against all forms of security breaches in the state.
Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje, who also addressed the protesting lawyers, said Professor Chukwuma Soludo, being a lawyer-friendly Governor, is deeply saddened by the recent kidnap and killing of lawyers in the state.
She noted that Barrister Azoro was her LLM student, while Barrister Awa was a staff of his ministry, reason she is also deeply touched by the unfortunate incident that befell them.
