By Charles Igbo
A very senior Lawyer, the 26th President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Okey Wali, SAN, kidnapped ten days ago, is still languishing in the den of his abductors.
Wali was kidnapped in Porthacourt where he resides on Monday, 17th April, 2023.
The abduction which happened in broad daylight took place along the Obiri Ikwerre flyover on East- West Road, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State.
During the bloody incident, one of Wali’s aides was shot dead, and two Policemen attached to him, critically injured.
On Wednesday, 26th April, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN went to see Wali’s family with his team on a solidarity visit in Port Harcourt. They were received by his devastated wife and his younger brother, Kingsley. The team, also, visited the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, apparently to discuss Wali’s case, and the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Her Lordship, Honourable Justice Mary Peter-Odili, JSC, Rtd.
A statement by the NBA after the visit informed that “The kidnappers shot and killed one of his aides while two policemen attached to the former NBA President were seriously injured in the incident.
“Mr. Maikyau, SAN, and his delegation of Chairmen, Secretaries, and other senior members of the Bar from the branches of NBA in Rivers State were received by Mr. Kingsley Wenenda Wali, and Mrs Wali, the younger brother and the wife of the kidnapped former president. The duo commended the NBA President and his delegation for the visit.
“The NBA President expressed his concern over the unfortunate incident and prayed for God’s intervention on the difficulties the family is going through following the kidnap of their beloved one who has paid his dues as a former President of the Bar.
“Prayer session was held for God’s intervention to secure his release. The President urged the family to keep faith in God and believe that Mr Okey Wali, SAN, would be released to the family by the grace of God Almighty.
“The President and the delegation, thereafter, paid a courtesy call on the Commissioner of Police Rivers State where the President held a closed door meeting with the CP.
“The President of the NBA and delegation, also, paid a courtesy call on the Chairman Body of Benchers, Hon. Justice Mary Odili (JSC Rtd), at her residence. The Chairman of the Body of Benchers appreciated the President and the delegation for the visit. Discussion centered on the promotion of the rule of law and the justice sector.”
