NBA-SPIDEL Petitions LPDC Against Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN, For Alleged Electoral Malpractice [Ballot Snatching] In #ImoDecides 2023

*Wants LPDC to Prosecute SAN Over Imo Poll Disruption

The Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has submitted a petition to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) over alleged electoral malpractice.

John Aikpokpo-Martins on behalf of NBA-SPIDEL petitioned the LPDC against Chukwuma Ekomaru SAN for purportedly violating professional ethics during the recent Imo State polls. Reports claim Ekomaru led thugs to snatch ballot boxes as his wife ran for deputy governor under the APC.

Click here to download full petition

A video circulated on social media showing the Ekomaru SAN partaking in the alleged misconduct on election day. Senior lawyer Chidi Odinkalu called him out publicly for accompanying “thugs” to disrupt the exercise. Ekomaru is yet to address the accusations leveled against him.

Tomorrow, the Body of Senior Advocates of #Nigeria, #BOSAN, will be issuing lectures to us all on ethics. I hope they will find these allegations of #ElectionViolence against Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN, husband of @Hope_Uzodimma1‘s deputy in #ImoBleeds2023, deserving of attention. pic.twitter.com/NeAvY4IU3v

— Chidi Odinkalu, CGoF (@ChidiOdinkalu) November 11, 2023

The petition by the NBA section expresses disturbance over the conduct of a top member of the legal profession. It urges the LPDC to commence disciplinary action against Ekomaru for flouting Rule 1 of professional conduct on the behavior expected of lawyers.

Click here to download full petition

Alongside the petition, Aikpokpo-Martins submitted video evidence and a sworn affidavit detailing the reported infractions. NBA-SPIDEL hopes Ekomaru will face prosecution for acting in a manner deemed unbecoming of his status in the legal community.

The LPDC is expected to review the complaint and initiate appropriate disciplinary procedures if the SAN is found to have violated professional ethics.

Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru is the husband of the current deputy governor of Imo, Nnedinma Ekomaru.

Chief Chukwuma attempted to govern the state under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but didn’t win the primary election.”

11th January, 2024.

The Chairman,
Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee
Body of Benchers Office,
Abuja.

Dear Sir,

PETITION AGAINST CHUKWUMA UCHENNA EKOMARU, SAN – A NIGERIAN LAWYER

I, John Aikpokpo-Martins Esq., the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law, write this petition on behalf of the members of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) on her behalf and firm authority.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

Chukwuma Uchenna Ekomaru, SAN, against whom this petition is written, is a legal practitioner duly called to the Nigerian Bar with his name on the roll of lawyers kept at the Supreme Court. As a private legal practitioner and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, he is expected to exhibit and maintain a very high standard of conduct, professionalism, and respect for the rule of law at all times.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted the Imo State Governorship election in Imo State on the 11th of November, 2023.

The respondent herein, whose wife was on the ballot as the Deputy Governor candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), was reported in several news outlets and on social media to have led thugs to a polling station to snatch ballot boxes being used to conduct the said election.

He was caught on video, and the said video went viral. The video is downloaded into an electronic flash and is hereby attached to this petition.

Members of the legal profession, particularly members of NBA-SPIDEL, are very disturbed by the content of this video.

Chidi Odinkalu, a senior lawyer, posted the video on X, formerly known as Twitter, and called out the respondent for snatching ballot boxes accompanied by thugs during the election.

Till date, the respondent did not refute, deny, or challenge the allegations on social media or the specific allegations of Chidi Odinkalu.

Pursuant to her mandate and mission, NBA-SPIDEL resolved to refer this matter to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee for necessary action; hence this petition. Accompanied herewith are copies of the petition, copies of my statement on oath in support of the petition, and annexed exhibits.

PRAYER

We respectfully urge the Committee to immediately commence the disciplinary process and prosecute CHUKWUMA UCHENNA EKOMARU, SAN, for the violation of the provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct, particularly Rule 1 thereof, by conducting himself in a manner unbecoming of a legal practitioner. We hopefully look forward to your quick consideration of this Petition.

Yours respectfully,

John Aikpokpo – Martins Esq.
NBA-SPIDEL Office, 15th Floor,
NBA House, Plot 1101, Cadastral Zone,
Central Business District,
Abuja.
08023063841

AFFIDAVIT OF FACTS

IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OF NIGERIA
IN THE ABUJA JUDICIAL DIVISION
HOLDEN AT ABUJA

AFFIDAVIT OF FACTS IN RE: THE PETITION OF JOHN AIKPOKPO-MARTINS (ON BEHALF OF NBA-SPIDEL) AGAINST CHUKWUMA UCHENNA EKOMARU, SAN.

I, John Aikpokpo-Martins, male, Christian, Nigerian, Legal Practitioner, and the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law of NBA House, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja, do hereby make oath and state as follows:

That I am the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (hereinafter referred to simply as the NBA-SPIDEL), and I have the consent, authority, and concurrence of the members of NBA-SPIDEL to petition the Respondent to the very distinguished Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (hereinafter simply referred to as the LPDC) for acts bordering on conduct unbecoming of a legal practitioner.

That I am conversant with the facts of this matter.

That the distinguished body should immediately commence the disciplinary process and prosecute the Respondent, Chukwuma Uchenna Ekomaru, SAN, for the violation of the provisions of the extant Rules of Professional Conduct.

That Chukwuma Uchenna Ekomaru, SAN, is a legal practitioner duly called to the Nigerian Bar with his name on the roll of lawyers kept at the Supreme Court. He is also a Senior Advocate and is therefore expected to exhibit and maintain a very high standard of conduct, professionalism, respect for the integrity of the electoral system at all times.

The Independent National Electoral Commission conducted the Imo State Governorship election in Imo State on the 11th of November, 2023.

The respondent herein, whose wife was on the ballot as the Deputy Governor candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), was reported on social media to have led areas ing station to snatch ballot boxes.

DEPONENT
Sworn to at the Registry of the Federal High
Court, Abuja, this 11th day of January, 2024.

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