The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a strong condemnation following the reported murder of one of its esteemed members, Barrister Bright Nda Owhor, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on July 5.
The association is demanding immediate action and accountability for the tragic incident.
Mazi Afam Osigwe, the President of the NBA, conveyed his profound outrage over Owhor’s death in a statement released on his official X handle on Sunday.
He characterized the killing as ‘senseless and brutal’, emphasising the urgent need for justice.
“Bright Nda Owhor was a promising young legal practitioner whose life was cut short in a most senseless and brutal manner,” Osigwe lamented.
He added that Owhor’s untimely demise is not merely a painful loss for his family and colleagues, but also serves as a stark reminder of the escalating insecurity that continues to afflict Nigerian society.
The NBA President unequivocally denounced the ‘heinous act’, asserting that ‘No society that claims to be governed by law and order can tolerate the unchecked violence and impunity that such killings represent.’
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He stressed the sanctity of the right to life, stating that its violation in such a cruel manner is ‘unacceptable under any circumstances.’
In a resolute call for accountability, the NBA has urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, and all pertinent security agencies to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Owhor’s death.
“We demand that the perpetrators be identified, apprehended, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Osigwe declared.
“Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done, and swiftly too.”
Expressing grave concern over the nationwide surge in insecurity, the NBA warned that legal professionals cannot continue to discharge their duties to society while constantly facing threats of violence and death.
“We urge the relevant authorities to take concrete steps to address the rising tide of insecurity affecting both citizens and legal professionals across the country,” the NBA president stated.
The association extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the Port Harcourt branch of the NBA, and the entire legal community.
The NBA vowed to closely monitor the case, with President Osigwe assuring, “The NBA will not relent in pursuing justice for our slain colleague.”
