The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) branches in Imo State yesterday held a press conference to condemn the alleged assault, humiliation, torture and unlawful detention of a lawyer, Chigozie Chinaka by the Area Commander of Owerri Municipal, ACP David Ogenyi.
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Addressing journalists, the NBA Chairman in Owerri, D.U. Alinnor, narrated how ACP Ogenyi allegedly subjected Chinaka to dehumanizing treatment on September 25th and 26th when he visited the Area Command to render legal services to his client.
Alinnor stated that Chinaka was denied access to his client, arrested for taking pictures of his client’s vehicle and detained overnight despite interventions by senior lawyers. Ogenyi allegedly arraigned Chinaka on trumped up charges the next day.
The NBA said it conducted preliminary investigations and took statements from witnesses including magistrates and lawyers. The NBA found Chinaka’s account of assault and torture to be credible while accusing Ogenyi of habitually abusing lawyers.
Condemning police brutality on lawyers, the NBA called on the IGP to immediately suspend Ogenyi and concerned officers to enable an unbiased probe. It demanded their outright transfer from Imo Command pending investigations.
The bar further urged the IGP to set up a 5-man committee, chaired by the Attorney-General of Imo State and including NBA members, to probe the remote causes of the incident.
Signatories to the NBA’s strongly worded statement included branch chairmen from Owerri, Orlu, Okigwe, Mbano/Etiti and Mbaise. The NBA emphasized its opposition to impediments faced by lawyers in discharging their duties.
It called on heads of security agencies in Imo to sanction erring officers and work harmoniously with lawyers, while appealing to the IGP to address the alleged brutality on its member by Owerri Area Commander.
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