*Senator Abaribe Dedicates Awards To 15 Years Old Boy Born In Prison
* Charges JK Gadzama SAN To Lead Legal Team On Orji’s Public Interest Matter
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The Eastern Bar Forum (EBF), has recognised and honoured the Senate minority leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe with an Award at the EBF Quarterly general meeting which was held on Saturday, 24th July, 2021 at the Hon. Justice A. I Umezulike Auditorium, High Court Complex, Enugu.
The award plaque was presented to the distinguished Senator at the auspicious event by Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN (Okwuluora of Ukpo) on behalf of the EBF.
In his remarks, the vocal Abia born legislator appreciated the EBF for the honour and dedicated the Award to Emmanuel Orji, a 15-year old boy born in the four walls of the prison. The former Abia Deputy Governor explained that Emmanuel Orji was born in prison and has spent the entire 15 years of his life in prison without seeing the outside world.
According to the Senator, Emmanuel Orji’s mother was arrested in lieu of her husband (Emmanuel’s father) during a raid by security operatives sometime in 2006 following their inability to get her husband who was a wanted suspect alleged to have committed serious offences. She was tried and imprisoned in the Awka Correctional Centre while she was pregnant with Emmanuel Orji which led to his birth in the Correctional Centre where he has remained till date.
Senator Abaribe charged Chief Gadzama as a leader of the Bar to spearhead legal efforts in collaboration with the EBF to look into the case of Emmanuel Orji. Abaribe committed a seed sum of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) in pursuit of the matter.
On his part, Gadzama accepted the responsibility to personally handle the matter in collaboration with the EBF and the NBA-SPIDEL whose Chairman – Mr. Monday Ubani – was also present at the event.
Gadzama thanked Abaribe for raising awareness on the matter. He noted that the NBA President was ably represented at the event by the General Secretary, Mrs. Joyce Oduah and he assured Abaribe that the NBA President will be formally briefed. Gadzama also pledged the sum of N500,000 in addition to the N1,000,000 committed by Abaribe for the project. The Learned Silk further committed to personally visit the inmates at the Awka Correctional Centre.
Other personalities who were recognised and honoured with Awards by the EBF at the event are the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, Chief Anthony Mogboh, SAN and Nnamdi Otukwu, Esq.
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