The Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, has reported that it handled thirty formal petitions between July and September 2026, of which nine were resolved, seven referred, ten remain pending and four were dismissed, and that its interventions have so far secured the release of about eleven persons from detention or on bail.
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The report, dated 26 September 2026, was presented by the Vice Chairman of the branch and Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Ekezie K. Onumajulu, Esq.
It states that the Committee commenced the present administration “with a commitment to strengthening access to justice, responding to rights violations and deepening the role of the Bar in public-interest advocacy.”
Before The Clinic Resumed
The report records that before the formal resumption of the Human Rights Clinic, the Committee’s work was reflected in public advocacy.
On 16 July 2026, at the behest of the Chairman of the branch, the Vice Chairman delivered a goodwill address and presentation at the University Policy Dialogue commemorating the 23rd anniversary of the Maputo Protocol, held at the Faculty of Law Lecture Theatre, Imo State University.
On Saturday, 4 July 2026, he participated in an awareness walk organised by the Stand for Humanity Foundation against all forms of child abuse, during which the Committee briefed newsmen on its willingness to receive complaints from members of the public and to collaborate with relevant agencies.
The Panels
The Monday Human Rights Clinic formally resumed on 27 July 2026. The Chairman constituted two panels within the Committee, each sitting on alternate weeks on a rotational basis, with the Chairman, Alternate Chairman and Secretary at liberty to sit on all panels as convenience permits.
Panel 1 is led by Mr. Phil Amaefule and comprises Ms. Blessing Emeghara, Mr. Ephraim Okafor, Mr. Chris Nnaji, Mr. Humphrey Asichukwu, Mr. Uchenna Nnadozie, Mr. Rufus Abanobi and Mr. Chidiebere Enyia.
Panel 2 is headed by Ms. Ngozi Ejike and comprises Mr. O. C. J. Kamalu, Mr. Kissinger Ikeokwu, Ms. Victoria Joshua, Mr. Godspower Ukaegbu, Mr. Franklin Agughalam, Mr. Ugonna Uzowuru and Mr. Richard Agumanu.
The Committee has been aided by volunteers including Dr. Chioma Emukah, Mr. Iyke Umah, Ms. Queen Nwakaibeya, Mr. Ola Anosike, Mr. Ifeanyi Nwaturuocha and Mr. Kelechi Ogugbuaja.
The report states that the Committee introduced a filing and numbering system for petitions and complaints received.
The Petitions
| File No. | Subject and action | Status |
|---|---|---|
| HRC/OW/01/2026 | Perfume business dispute; police intervention; complainant released unconditionally | Resolved |
| HRC/OW/02/2026 | Indigent accused in armed robbery charge; counsel F. C. Obinna, Esq. recommended and defence commenced | Referred |
| HRC/OW/03/2026 | Detention at Anti-Kidnapping Unit in alleged terrorism matter; request for charge or administrative bail | Pending |
| HRC/OW/04/2026 | Domestic and family dispute already before court; referred to FIDA for assistance | Referred |
| HRC/OW/05/2026 | Domestic abuse and neglect; children returned; Committee monitoring welfare arrangements | Pending |
| HRC/OW/06/2026 | Domestic violence and neglect; parties reconciled with focus on welfare of two children | Resolved |
| HRC/OW/07/2026 | Domestic violence and discrimination allegations; complainant advised to obtain private legal representation | Dismissed |
| HRC/OW/08/2026 | Rape of a minor; police investigation and prosecution commenced; additional suspects being pursued | Pending |
| HRC/OW/09/2026 | Rape of a vulnerable woman; suspect charged and remanded; watching brief and monitoring | Pending |
| HRC/OW/10/2026 | Workplace appointment dispute; complainant able to engage counsel; not considered a Committee matter | Dismissed |
| HRC/OW/11/2026 | Alleged hospital negligence resulting in death; request for police investigation | Pending |
| HRC/OW/12/2026 | Detention over alleged aiding of kidnapping; intervention led to immediate release | Resolved |
| HRC/OW/13/2026 | Colleague sought institutional support over client detained by anti-robbery unit; client released | Resolved |
| HRC/OW/14/2026 | Colleague sought support over alleged arrest by proxy; administrative bail secured | Resolved |
| HRC/OW/15/2026 | Alleged assault and detention by Ihiagwa Police; petitioner could not return for Clinic hearing | Dismissed |
| HRC/OW/16/2026 | Alleged assault and inhumane treatment by husband; hearing adjourned to 28 September | Pending |
| HRC/OW/17/2026 | Land matter at Ulakwo Customary Court; counsel contacted and flexible fees encouraged | Referred |
| HRC/OW/18/2026 | Marital and child custody dispute; volunteer to assist with formal custody process | Pending |
| HRC/OW/19/2026 | Serious assault allegedly involving a fall from a storey building; hospital and police facts to be verified | Pending |
| HRC/OW/20/2026 | Alleged repeated rape of a vulnerable minor; petition to be pursued with relevant branch committee | Referred |
| HRC/OW/21/2026 | Property dispute outside jurisdiction; complainant advised to engage private practitioner | Dismissed |
| HRC/OW/22/2026 | Two indigent security men arrested by Shell Camp Police; intervention secured immediate bail | Resolved |
| HRC/OW/23/2026 | Civil dissolution matter; volunteer offered representation subject to flexible arrangement | Referred |
| HRC/OW/24/2026 | Alleged assault and ejection threat by caretaker; landlord’s counsel undertook to take lawful process and not self-help | Resolved |
| HRC/OW/25/2026 | Alleged arrest involving Army contacts; intervention at 34 Artillery Brigade; man released to police | Resolved |
| HRC/OW/26/2026 | Custody and child-protection issue involving two minors in Onitsha; referred to NBA Onitsha committee | Referred |
| HRC/OW/27/2026 | Business property allegedly damaged during government works; advised to engage counsel; possible escalation to the Attorney-General | Referred |
| HRC/OW/28/2026 | Family and homestead dispute involving alleged threat; parties invited for hearing | Pending |
| HRC/OW/29/2026 | Detention over alleged advance-fee fraud exceeding N50m; Committee plans engagement with the Commissioner of Police | Pending |
| HRC/OW/30/2026 | Late colleague’s son detained over an unregistered motorcycle; Committee intervention secured bail | Resolved |
“Summary: 9 Resolved, 7 Referred, 10 Pending, 4 Dismissed,” the report states. “Through our intervention, about 11 people have so far been released from detention or on bail.”
The Volunteer Network
The report describes the mobilisation of members of the branch as Human Rights Volunteers as “a particularly significant development.”
“The Committee has deliberately moved towards the philosophy that human-rights protection should not be the responsibility of the Chairman or a few designated members alone, but a collective responsibility of the Bar under coordinated leadership,” it states.
Volunteers have participated in police interventions, prison matters, child-protection cases, legal representation, monitoring and other urgent assignments, their interventions including securing releases, assisting indigent persons, providing representation, visiting vulnerable victims and engaging relevant institutions.
The Committee has established a Human Rights Volunteer WhatsApp network for information sharing, mobilisation and deliberation on emerging issues.
Support To Members Of The Bar
The report records an observation from the Clinic’s work, namely that a number of petitions were brought directly by colleagues, or referred by colleagues who had encountered institutional bottlenecks in the course of discharging their professional obligations to their clients.
“In such situations, the lawyers required institutional engagement beyond the ordinary lawyer-client relationship,” it states, adding that the Committee served as a support mechanism, engaging relevant police authorities and other institutions where necessary.
It cites files HRC/OW/13/2026 and HRC/OW/14/2026 as demonstrating how the Committee “can complement, rather than substitute, the professional efforts of individual counsel.”
Other Interventions
Outside the formal Clinic files, the Committee and its volunteers intervened in a number of urgent matters.
A civil matter at Umuagwo Police Station was addressed by a member, leading to the release of the suspect. Another civil matter at the Fire Service Police Station, brought to the Chairman’s attention by the Publicity Secretary of the branch, Mr. Chimere Okoronkwo, was escalated to the Area Commander and the suspect released. A further matter at the D8 department of the State Criminal Investigation Department resulted in bail.
Volunteers Mr. Chigozie Okenmili and Mr. Jeff Nnodim secured the release of a prison inmate reportedly held for about two years without meaningful prosecution of the case.
The Committee undertook a familiarisation tour of selected police formations, including Shell Camp Police Station, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the office of the Owerri Area Commander, with the engagements focused on cooperation in addressing rights abuses and promoting decent policing in line with applicable administration of criminal justice principles. It has also initiated engagement with 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, with a view to establishing a constructive institutional interface.
The report discloses that a statutory cell-visitation framework and a human-rights-compliant security agencies monitoring scheme are being developed, “with the intention of deploying at least two HRC members or volunteers to each relevant formation to assist indigent suspects and monitor compliance with basic rights and due-process standards.”
Access To The Committee
To improve accessibility, the Committee has maintained the Monday Human Rights Clinic and established petition boxes at the NBA Bar Centre, Old High Court Premises, Orlu Road, Owerri; at Ozisa FM; and at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri.
A dedicated email address, nbaowerrihumanrights@gmail.com, has been made available for complaints and submissions.
The report states that an android phone, a sim and accessories were purchased at 124,400 naira to house the Committee helpline on 09030891875, which has been made available to members of the public.
Enlightenment
The Chairman has commenced a “Human Rights Corner” through three partner newspaper agencies, providing a platform for colleagues to publish public-interest human-rights articles, with the article “The Inalienable Right of Liberty” by Mr. Stanley Igbudu among the early contributions.
He has also commenced a “Know Your Rights” radio programme on Zanders FM 105.7, Owerri, airing on Saturdays at 2 p.m. The maiden edition featured Mr. Isaac Imoban, Mr. Goodluck Okebata and Mr. Richard Agumanu as guests, and the second episode featured Ms. Ndidi Anike Val Okeoma and Mr. Divine Eronini.
The Financial Report
The financial report consists of a single sentence.
“The committee has not received any amount from the branch for any of its activities or its expenditures,” it states.
Conclusion
The report concludes that within the period under review the Committee sought “to combine responsive intervention with institutional development,” working from the Maputo Protocol public lecture and the child-abuse awareness engagement, through thirty formal Clinic petitions and several urgent detention interventions, “to make the Bar more accessible to persons whose rights require timely institutional support.”
It states that particular emphasis was placed on supporting colleagues where institutional bottlenecks affect the discharge of their professional obligations, on strengthening cooperation with police and other security institutions, and on building a volunteer network in which human-rights protection becomes a collective responsibility of the branch.
The Committee undertakes to consolidate the initiatives, expand public enlightenment, strengthen monitoring and visitation mechanisms, support vulnerable persons and deepen collaboration with relevant institutions, “while maintaining the professional and institutional standards expected of the Nigerian Bar Association.”
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