Anger Rises In Imo Over Murder Of Judge In Court, NBA, Boycotts Court; Sister Cries Out: “I Can’t Cope; I am Finished”

By Charles Igbo

There is palpable anger in Imo State over the murder of a Customary Court Judge, Nnaemeka Ugboma, in the premises of his Court on Friday, February 3, 2023.

Ugboma, the Chairman of the Ejemekwuru Customary Court in Oguta Local Government Area, was gruesomely murdered in his Court’s premises after the Court session, just as he made to enter his car.

He was shot dead by gunmen who rode on motorcycles, and invaded his Court. An eye witness alleged that one of the gunmen pointed at him and identified him as their target, before they shot him on the head. He died on the spot.

In its reaction, a shocked Imo State Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, ordered a boycott of the Courts in the State by all its branches.

In a statement signed by the Chairmen of all its branches in the State, the NBA said the boycott would last for three days.

A devastated Ugboma’s younger sister, Chioma, a Senior Journalist with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in a WhatsApp Platform, told her Colleagues: “I am finished. They murdered my elder brother just like that. I don’t know what to do. I cannot cope.”

Like most Imo people, the NBA is outraged by the gruesome murder of Ugboma. In a release, it said: “This dastardly act is highly condemnation as it desecrated the temple of justice and undermines the confidence of the citizens in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.”

The NBA’s statement read:

“The Branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in Imo State deplore the cold blooded murder of a judicial officer, His Worship Nnaemeka Ugboma, Esq., who was shot point blank in Court by yet to be identified gun men on the 2nd of February, 2023.

“On receipt of the news, the Owerri Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association promptly engaged lawyers within the affected jurisdiction as well as staff of the affected court, who confirmed the incident.

“We also convened an emergency meeting and further contacted the heads of the judiciary, particularly the Chief Judge of Imo State and the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State.

“The Commissioner of Police, Imo State, has also received a request from us for an immediate and thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident and to ensure that the culprits are apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law.

“The Imo Bar notes with deep concern that the attacks on judicial institutions have become a disturbing trend in Imo State, and has taken an unfortunate turn by the murder of Mr. Ugboma.

“This dastardly act is highly condemnable as it desecrates the temple of justice and undermines the confidence of the citizens in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

“The Bar therefore calls on the Imo State Government to provide, with immediate effect, security in and around all the courts in Imo State, which have remained porous despite the sensitive role they play in the society.

“The Imo Bar, in consonance with the national body of the NBA, ably led by Y.C. Maikyau, OON, SAN, firmly resists the attempt to undermine the judiciary and the legal profession, and instill fear in the conduct of judicial proceedings. Also, citizens need to be aware that judicial officers and lawyers are not their enemies or opponents; they only aid in the administration of justice.

“In the circumstance, the members of the NBA in Imo State have resolved to boycott all courts in Imo State, starting from Monday 6th February 2023 to Wednesday 8th February 2023, in order to register our displeasure with the current state of affairs.

“Until the members of the Bar in Imo State are sufficiently assured of the safety of the judiciary, the Bar and the litigants as requested, we shall continue to review the situation and to take further necessary actions.”

It was signed by:

*D. U. ALINNOR ESQ.

Chairman, NBA Owerri Branch.

*B. A. MUNONYE ESQ.

Chairman, NBA Orlu Branch

*AMBROSE UGBAJA ESQ.

Chairman, NBA Mbaise Branch

*E. A. OCHIONU ESQ.

Chairman, NBA Okigwe Branch

*CHIEF RICHARD ANYANWU

Chairman, NBA Mbano/Etiti Branch.

The late Ugboma was a 1991 Law graduate.

The Imo State Police Command has started a full investigation into the tragic incident. There has been no arrest yet, but the Police say the Command is on the trail of the assassins.