November 29, (THEWILL) – Members of the Nigerian Bar Association in Benue State staged a peaceful protest on Thursday in Makurdi, the state capital, over the gruesome murder of their colleague, Barrister Michael Ofikwu, in Otukpo.
Ofikwu, who was the Secretary of the NBA Otukpo Branch, was shot dead by unknown gunmen a week ago while waiting for his gate to be opened after arriving at his residence.
The protest drew lawyers from NBA branches in Makurdi, Gboko, and Otukpo, who convened at the Benue State Judiciary Headquarters before marching to the Benue State Police Command Headquarters.
Their aim was to demand swift action in apprehending and prosecuting those responsible for the killing.
Leading the protest, NBA Makurdi Branch Chairman, Barrister Terna Yaji, reminded the Commissioner of Police of a prior petition submitted by the association.
He urged the police to expedite efforts in arresting the culprits, stressing that such actions would deter similar crimes.
Responding on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Steve Yabanet, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene, assured the lawyers that investigations were ongoing to bring the perpetrators to justice.
She commended the peaceful nature of the protest and extended the command’s sympathies to the legal community.
In solidarity with the cause, federal and state courts across Benue State suspended their activities on Thursday.
However, Justice Kume of the Benue State High Court sat to deliver a judgment concerning the dissolved state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, led by Austin Agada, against the party’s national secretariat.
The NBA has reiterated its resolve to pursue justice for their slain colleague while emphasizing the need for improved security for legal practitioners in the state.
