Murder Of Customary Court Judge Attributable To Politicization Of Conflict in Imo State — Access To Justice

*Says CJN Must Act Now To Prevent Further Attacks On Judiciary

The Convener of A2Justice, Joseph Otteh has said the gruesome murder of a Customary Court Judge, Nnaemeka Ugboma Esq, in open court on the 2nd of February, 2023 may have been facilitated by the politicisation of the insecurity in the state.

Mr Otteh in statement condemning the attack described it as an horrendous and vicious attack on the administration and delivery of justice in Imo State which escalates a systematic pattern of attacks on institutions and infrastructure of justice in that State for a long while now.

According to the statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer, while physical buildings of Courts in Imo State have been routinely attacked and burnt over a considerable period now, the vile, brutal killing of Judge Nnaemeka Ugboma takes the intimidation of the Judiciary to whole new levels, unprecedented in Nigeria’s history. There are reports that, prior to this time, some courts in Imo State had virtually stopped sitting in the State because of safety concerns, and the targeting and killing of a judicial officer in the course of carrying out judicial functions will amplify and aggravate fears of insecurity which judicial officers, and indeed residents of Imo State entertain.

He equally lamented the inability of security agencies to prevent the murder of the Court Judge despite clear evidence of the targeting of institutions of justice in the State for a while now.

He further hinted that the murder may not be unconnected with the politicisation of the safety, security and well-being of the people of Imo State.

He said, “It is also, on balance, possible to infer that the killing of Judge Nnaemeka Ugboma is not unconnected with, or facilitated by the government’s politicization of safety, security and well-being in Imo State, and the war of attrition that characterizes the conflict between government forces and those of persons of unknown affiliations, or, as characteristically called, “unknown gunmen”. Unfortunately, Imo State has been a hotbed and stamping ground for politically-motivated killings and violence against members of the political opposition. The Imo State Governor must develop a feasible and inclusive strategy to bring an end to the waves of political violence that has ensnared and enveloped the State, and renounce the incendiary “fire for fire” approach to the security problems; an approach that has drawn more violence and retaliation, and results in spiraling bloodbaths and the extrajudicial killing of Imo State people.”

He also called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to take charge and ensure the safety of Judges in Imo state.

“The Imo State Judiciary must now demand better protection of its judges and court houses, and the Chief Judge of Imo State, working in lockstep with the Chief Justice of Nigeria should take up issues of safety and security of Judges and courthouses in the State with the federal government and its security forces. The Federal Government must address the security situation in Imo State with urgency and forthrightness.”