Olu Of Warri Tussle: NBA Effurun Condemns Attack On Members, Delta High Court

Effurun Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association has condemned the desecration of the Delta State High Court 4 Warri, and the assault on chief E. L. Akpofure, SAN and two other lawyers by thugs in Warri South Local Government Area.

The NBA in a statement signed by its Chairman, Jonathan Ekperusi, Esq, and Kingsley Okes Idisi, Esq. FICMC, Secretary respectively expressed shock and sadness over the unprovoked attack and invasion by the thugs.

NBA recounting the ugly incident said “Some members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Effurun Branch were at the Warri Judicial Division of the Delta State High Court to conduct a case in which they were properly briefed as Counsel. The case concerns the dispute over succession to the throne of the Olu of Warri.
“Our members, Chief Efecha Leo Akpofure, SAN and two of his colleagues in Chambers, while at the High Court, Warri, were assaulted by thugs ostensibly mobilized to the Court premises with intent to beat up the Lawyers and frustrate/disrupt the Court proceedings. Parts of the available videos evidencing the abominable actions of the armed thugs chanting war songs interpreted to mean “death to Akpofure” are now viral on the social media.

Following the assault, a group which identified itself as Movement for the Protection of Iwere Homeland, Development and History (MPIHDH) has issued a publication now occupying the media space to defend the ignoble actions of the persons who desecrated the hallowed temple of justice and assaulted our members. The said publication by MPIHDH is shameful as it is suggestive of the direction to look in the investigation and possible arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the ugly incidence.

“We urge our members to remain calm as the NBA Effurun Branch is already intervening in the matter to seek appropriate redress for our affected members, especially Chief Efecha Leo Akpofure SAN, who is a Leader of the Branch and the former Regent and Prime Minister of Agbon Kingdom.
It is important to remind the public that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees the right of every citizen, including Itsekiri people, to engage any Counsel of their choice in any matter in which they are interested. The invasion of the Court (where proceedings were ongoing for the determination of the rights of the litigants one way or the other) with intent apparently to unlawfully disrupt same is a sad commentary on our burgeoning democracy, the Rule of Law and the administration of justice.

“The publication by MPIHDH attacked the person and office of the Chairman of NBA Warri Branch for promptly condemning the incidence. We believe that the attack on the leadership of the NBA Warri Branch is diversionary and an attempt to reconstruct the ugly incidence, which videos have gone viral on social media.

“The NBA Effurun Branch stands with the NBA Warri Branch and the Forum of NBA Chairmen of Delta State to condemn the unprovoked and unwarranted attack on the Judiciary and members of our Branch who were legitimately and professionally carrying out their duties at the said Court, presided over by Hon. Justice V. Agboje. Be assured that the NBA Effurun Branch is taking legitimate steps to protect its Leader and members who were assaulted in the ugly incident and to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book.

“Allowing such incidence to go unchallenged would set a dangerous precedence for the peaceful practice of our calling, vocation and profession.

“We strongly believe that well-meaning Itsekiri people, including prominent Itsekiri Lawyers, have roundly condemned the incidence. It must not be given ethnic coloration.

“We must continue to nurture and sustain the peace we are now enjoying in Warri, Effurun and Udu (and environs), the triple cities generally referred to as Warri. The NBA Branches of Warri, Effurun and Udu are very cosmopolitan, comprising of members from virtually every ethnic group in Nigeria.

“We, therefore, call on the relevant authorities, especially security agencies to promptly unravel the identity and motive of the perpetrators of the ugly incidence and bring them to justice as a way of reassuring the general public of the unquestionable capacity of the said security agencies to tackle any threat to peace and security in our domain”.