Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mazi Afam Osigwe, has strongly condemned the abduction of Mr. Ejike Ugwu, a prominent member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Enugu Branch. Mr. Ugwu was forcibly taken by unidentified men near the Emene area on the outskirts of Enugu six days ago.
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In a statement released today, Osigwe expressed grave concern over the increasing number of lawyers being targeted for abduction by gunmen across the country. He noted that in recent months, there have been several confirmed reports of lawyers being kidnapped, with some tragically losing their lives and others being released only after paying substantial ransoms.
Osigwe emphasized that lawyers, who serve as the voice for the voiceless, have become targets for these criminal elements. He called for immediate and sincere action from all levels of government and society to address this alarming trend.
“This abduction of our colleague is condemned in the strongest terms. If this worrying trend of abducting lawyers is an attempt at silencing us or stifling the legal profession, the criminals are in for a shock because the resolve of the Nigerian lawyer is as strong as ever to defend the rule of law,” Osigwe stated.
The Senior Advocate described the abduction as a stark violation of Mr. Ugwu’s fundamental human rights and an affront to the entire legal community. He urged the authorities to intensify their efforts to locate Mr. Ugwu and ensure his safe return, demanding that the security agencies employ all necessary resources and strategies to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Osigwe called for immediate action to secure the safe return of Ejike Ugwu and the implementation of adequate measures to ensure the safety and security of lawyers as they carry out their legal responsibilities to their clients.
He extended his thoughts and prayers to Mr. Ugwu, his family, and members of the NBA Enugu Branch during this traumatic period.
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