No Stone Unturned In Ensuring Justice For Slain Awa, Safe Return Of Kidnapped Azoro — Anambra Govt Tells Protesting Lawyers

The Anambra State Government has vowed to leave no stone unturned in fishing out and prosecuting the killers of Peter Awa, the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ihiala Branch.

Awa, who was also a Principal State Counsel, was recently murdered in his hometown, Okija, in Ihiala Local Government Area.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo gave this assurance on Thursday while addressing a group of protesting lawyers and members of the state chapter of the NBA during their peaceful demonstration at the State High Court in Awka. The lawyers were protesting the recent attacks on their colleagues in the state.

Speaking through his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, the Governor also assured that the state government would do everything possible to rescue Barr. Chukwubuike Azoro, a member of the NBA, who was recently kidnapped in the state.

Ibezim stated that the protection of life and property remains a top priority for the Soludo Administration. He noted that the government, in collaboration with security agencies, would continue to do the needful to win the war against all forms of insecurity and bring the perpetrators to book.

Condemning the level of evil and wickedness in society, Ibezim reminded Ndi Anambra that security is a collective responsibility that requires collaboration between the government, security agencies, and the people. He advised the people to remain vigilant and provide necessary information to enhance the state’s overall security architecture.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of NBA Branches in Anambra State, Barrister Izuchukwu Nsofor, revealed that Barrister Awa was gruesomely murdered by unidentified gunmen at Okija on Sunday, May 19, 2024, while the Secretary of the Idemili Branch of the NBA, Barrister Azoro, was recently kidnapped.

Also present during the protest were the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Air Vice Marshall Ben Chiobi, among others. The Chairman of the NBA-ICLE, Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe, urged lawyers to stand up and cooperate with security agencies for the safety of all Nigerian citizens.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Joint Task Force on Security has launched a manhunt for the killers of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Vice Chairman, Ihiala Branch, Peter Awa as well as the abductors of another lawyer Chukwubiko Azoro. Last week, the NBA asked its members to boycott courts over the kidnap of Azoro.