Anambra lawyers boycott Courts, petition Gov. Soludo, police over abduction of colleague, Azoro

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

No fewer than eight branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in Anambra State have boycotted court for two days to protest the alleged abduction of their colleague, Chukwubuikem Azoro by unknown gunmen in the state.

The notice of the boycott was signed by the Chairman, Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries, NBA Branches, Anambra State, I.C. Nsofor.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that a yet to be identified gunmen reportedly abducted Azoro around Abagana area in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State on Saturday and his whereabouts remains sketchy.

Azoro, the Secretary of Idemili Branch of the NBA, was said to have been kidnapped two weeks after his wedding.

The notice by the NBA reads in part: “The Nigerian Bar Association in Anambra State has announced a total boycott of all courts in the state. This move is to give voice to the decision of the NBA Idemili Branch who had earlier declared 16th and 17th of May a total shutdown.

“All the NBA Branches in Anambra State are by this notice urged to stay away from all courts in the state.

“This is to enable lawyers press for the immediate release of our colleague and secretary of Idemili branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chukwubuikem J. S. Azoro who was kidnapped at Abagana, on Saturday, May 11, 2024”.

Condemning the abduction, Barr. Pat Agbata described the incident as unfortunate and urged Governor Charles Soludo, Commissioner of Police, CP and other security operatives to expedite action towards his immediate release unharmed.

He lamented that if lawyers could be kidnapped that nobody is save, stating that lawyers are the voice of the voiceless and helpless.

When contacted, the Anambra State Police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the command has not received the report of the abduction of the lawyer, adding that members of the NBA were at the command to see the Commissioner of Police.

Meanwhile, a source and a member of the NBA, Ezekiel Mba, confirmed to our correspondent after the meeting, that the CP, Nnaghe Itam, assured the members that security operatives would swing into action to rescue the abducted lawyer.

“Yes, we met with the CP today and he assured us that his men will swing into action to rescue our abducted colleague. There was total boycott in all the courts in Anambra State today and tomorrow, courts in Idemili council Area would be shutdown to press for the release of our colleague,” he affirmed.