NBA Yenagoa boycotts courts in protest of judge’s abduction

 Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Yenagoa Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, Bayelsa State, on Monday stayed away from courts. They did this to demand the release of Justice E.G. Umokoro, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Saturday evening in Yenagoa.

Gunmen disguised in Police uniforms kidnapped Umokoro, a Bayelsa State High Court Judge. The abduction occurred at an eatery in the Ekeki area of the state capital.

The judge was waiting for his daughter, who stepped into the outlet to buy loaves of bread.

Speaking on the development, Mr Somina John Bull, Chairman, Yenagoa Branch of NBA, condemned the abduction of the judge.

He urged the relevant security agencies to secure the unconditional release of the judge. The judge was a former Chairman of the NBA Yenagoa Branch. This was during his days in the bar as a practising lawyer.

Somina urged the security agencies to use every tactic they have. She asked them to apply all available resources. This is to ensure the safe return of the judge.

The NBA chairman said that lawyers in Bayelsa withdrew their services. They stayed away from courts across Bayelsa State to demand the immediate release of the judge.

He spoke about the continuation of the court’s boycott. They were taking it one day at a time, as they were also monitoring the situation closely.

Lawyers who gathered at the judiciary headquarters discussed the incident in groups, while the NBA held consultations with security agencies on the incident.

It would be recalled that Mr Alonyenu, Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa, had on Sunday assured the public. He stated that the Police were working with other security agencies. Their goal was to free the abducted Judge unhurt.

The Police chief said they were reviewing video clips of the incident on social media. They are also examining other footage. This is in line with the directive of Gov Douye Diri to security commanders in Bayelsa. The purpose is to rescue the judge and fish out the masterminds of the dastardly act.