Killings: NBA Owerri Branch Writes Imo Governor, Seeks Audience To Discuss Security Situation Of The State

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Owerri Branch has written the
Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, in respect
of the security situation of the state.

In a letter dated 3rd June, 2021, signed by its Chairman, J. I.
Ogamba and Secretary, Chinedu Agu, the NBA Owerri Branch condemns
the killings taking place in the state. The Branch said NBA is a
watch dog of the society and aims to ensure that Rule of Law is
protected.

“Your Excellency, you will agree with us that the Bar is, by its
position and calling, a watchdog and mouthpiece of the society. The
Bar ensures that the Rule of Law is at all times protected and
adhered to not minding whose ox is gored. It bears restating the
Rule of Law is what distinguishes our present-day Imo State from
the Hobbesian society where life is nasty, brutish, and short;
where the strong preyed on the weak and where might was always
right.

“Recall that the media, both traditional and social, has been
awash with daily reports of the indiscriminate and extrajudicial
killings of innocent and unarmed Imoites including security
personnel, mass arrests and detention of citizens and other
measures which altogether violate the basic tenets of our 1999
Constitution (as amended).

A worthy mention is the unfortunate case of Miss Divine Nwaneri
(a student of Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State) who was
gunned down, without justifiable reason, by security agents
attached to the Government House, Owerri, Imo State. Another is the
painful slaying of late Mr. Chigbu Noel who was unlawfully killed
by soldiers at Amakohia and his remains casually dumped at the
mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State; not
forgetting the killing of Mr. Oguchi N his way to the Imo Airport
by Military Personnel. These callous actions by the security
operatives are barbaric and should be condemned by all men of
goodwill and conscience.

“The Bar strongly condemns in no uncertain terms these
extrajudicial killings of innocent citizens as being
unconstitutional, barbaric, unjustifiable, cold-blooded, and
reprehensible. It is unheard of, anywhere in the civilized world
that innocent citizens are moved down in cold blood, 9n flimsy and
whimsical excuses by those who are supposed to protect them.

The Bar also condemns the wanton destruction of Government
properties, Police Stations, INEC Facilities, Killing of Police
Men, Military Men and other Security agents.” the letter reads in
part.

Furthermore, the NBA said it has been under pressure from the
society to condemn the failure of government to act including the
barbaric actions of individuals and security agents, however, it
wants to, first of all, get firsthand information regarding the
security situation

Thus, it calls on the state government to give the NBA an
audience so as to discuss the way forward on peace and security in
the state.

The letter further reads, “Your Excellency, the Bar has been
under intense and enormous pressure from the larger Imo society and
even beyond to join the crowd to condemn these inactions of
Government as well as the primitive and barbaric actions of
individuals including security agents highlighted above. As a
responsible and responsive partner 8n the arduous task of nation
nay state-building, the Bar has so far resisted the urge to go
public to condemn the State Government and the security agents
without engaging State Government in order to have firsthand
knowledge of the security situation in the State.”

“It is therefore on this premise, Your Excellency, that the Bar
requests to have an audience with Your Excellency with a view to
engaging the State Government in our bid to chart a course for
Peace and Security in the State.”

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Owerri Branch has written the
Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, in respect
of the security situation of the state.

In a letter dated 3rd June, 2021, signed by its Chairman, J. I.
Ogamba and Secretary, Chinedu Agu, the NBA Owerri Branch condemns
the killings taking place in the state. The Branch said NBA is a
watch dog of the society and aims to ensure that Rule of Law is
protected.

“Your Excellency, you will agree with us that the Bar is, by its
position and calling, a watchdog and mouthpiece of the society. The
Bar ensures that the Rule of Law is at all times protected and
adhered to not minding whose ox is gored. It bears restating the
Rule of Law is what distinguishes our present-day Imo State from
the Hobbesian society where life is nasty, brutish, and short;
where the strong preyed on the weak and where might was always
right.

“Recall that the media, both traditional and social, has been
awash with daily reports of the indiscriminate and extrajudicial
killings of innocent and unarmed Imoites including security
personnel, mass arrests and detention of citizens and other
measures which altogether violate the basic tenets of our 1999
Constitution (as amended).

A worthy mention is the unfortunate case of Miss Divine Nwaneri
(a student of Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State) who was
gunned down, without justifiable reason, by security agents
attached to the Government House, Owerri, Imo State. Another is the
painful slaying of late Mr. Chigbu Noel who was unlawfully killed
by soldiers at Amakohia and his remains casually dumped at the
mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State; not
forgetting the killing of Mr. Oguchi N his way to the Imo Airport
by Military Personnel. These callous actions by the security
operatives are barbaric and should be condemned by all men of
goodwill and conscience.

“The Bar strongly condemns in no uncertain terms these
extrajudicial killings of innocent citizens as being
unconstitutional, barbaric, unjustifiable, cold-blooded, and
reprehensible. It is unheard of, anywhere in the civilized world
that innocent citizens are moved down in cold blood, 9n flimsy and
whimsical excuses by those who are supposed to protect them.

The Bar also condemns the wanton destruction of Government
properties, Police Stations, INEC Facilities, Killing of Police
Men, Military Men and other Security agents.” the letter reads in
part.

Furthermore, the NBA said it has been under pressure from the
society to condemn the failure of government to act including the
barbaric actions of individuals and security agents, however, it
wants to, first of all, get firsthand information regarding the
security situation

Thus, it calls on the state government to give the NBA an
audience so as to discuss the way forward on peace and security in
the state.

The letter further reads, “Your Excellency, the Bar has been
under intense and enormous pressure from the larger Imo society and
even beyond to join the crowd to condemn these inactions of
Government as well as the primitive and barbaric actions of
individuals including security agents highlighted above. As a
responsible and responsive partner 8n the arduous task of nation
nay state-building, the Bar has so far resisted the urge to go
public to condemn the State Government and the security agents
without engaging State Government in order to have firsthand
knowledge of the security situation in the State.”

“It is therefore on this premise, Your Excellency, that the Bar
requests to have an audience with Your Excellency with a view to
engaging the State Government in our bid to chart a course for
Peace and Security in the State.”