Two Lawyers Assasinated In Warri

Members of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Warri branch, yesterday, staged a peaceful protest over the gruesome killing of two of their colleagues about a fortnight ago.

The protesters marched through some major streets in Warri, demanding the arrest of killers of Horace Diafioghor and Samuel Ekweaghanju while carrying out their lawful duties.

The protest came on the heels of the arrest of five suspects in connection with the gruesome murder of the lawyers.

Commissioner of Police, Ikechukke Aduba, who signed the statement gave their names as Chucks, Obeji, Kelvin as well as Kaya Messers and Shakara.

Addressing newsmen after the protest march, chairman of the association, Mr Ben Oji, said the lawyers decided to take to the streets, “to register our condemnation of the murder of our two members who were killed by blood thirsty criminals on march 27, 2014.”

According to him, Horace Dafioghor was engaged as counsel to the accused persons, who were standing trial for alleged kidnap of the son of Mr Oruzorie Macaulay, Secretary to the Delta State Government.

He said that the deceased, when he was alive had always raised the fear that his life was being threatened even as over 100 policemen were always in court anytime the case came up for hearing.

“A week ago, we were informed that the client, in respect of whom he filed the application, Ogaga Enueme was also killed on the same day. The police account were that he was being taken to court with the suspect when they were attacked by armed men, who engaged them in a shootout which left the suspect dead,” said the association’s boss.

From these facts, we see a clear and direct connection between the two incidents especially as they occurred on the same day. It is not a coincidence,” Oji further said.

“The dastardly act of killing our colleagues, who were engaged in their professional duties is highly condemnable. The perpetrators obviously intended to intimidate lawyers but as one, we stand today to say, we shall not be deterred.”

Oji called on Inspector General of Police to unravel the killers.

The association’s helms man revealed that a petition would be sent to the National Human Rights Commission, NBA president, Okey Wali (SAN) and other relevant agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly so that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.