The Anambra State chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has directed all lawyers within the state to abstain from court proceedings on May 20 and 21, in protest over the killing of one of its members, Ifeanyi-Rolex Iloakasia.
Iloakasia, affiliated with the Otuocha Bar, was fatally attacked alongside a client on May 15 in Nanka, located in the Orumba North Local Government Area. The duo was returning from a legal session at Ekwulobia High Court when the incident occurred.
In a statement signed by K.G. Abonyi, who chairs the Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of NBA branches in Anambra, the association condemned the killing, calling it a direct affront to the legal profession and the principles of justice.
The statement noted the association’s profound sorrow and anger, especially in light of the earlier killing of Awa P. Awa, a former Vice Chairman of the NBA Ihiala Branch.
To express solidarity and demand accountability, the committee instructed lawyers across the state to refrain from appearing in court for two days. “Justice must be served,” the statement stressed, urging law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough probe and swiftly apprehend those responsible.
The NBA acknowledged the prompt intervention by the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, who visited the crime scene and initiated preliminary investigations. Nonetheless, the association called on the police, Department of State Services (DSS), and other security operatives to redouble efforts to bring the culprits to book. It also voiced concern over the persistent threat facing legal practitioners in the state.
Emphasizing the broader implications of insecurity, the association emphasized that the legal system cannot thrive in an atmosphere dominated by fear and violence.
It further appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to strengthen security frameworks across the state to safeguard legal professionals and the general population.
