By Amos Aar
THE BENUE State chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Thursday staged a peaceful protest at the Benue State Police Command in Makurdi, demanding justice for their slain colleague, Barrister Mike Ofikwu.
Ofikwu was murdered in Otukpo last week by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.
The lawyers, led by the Benue State chairman of NBA, Terna Yaji, presented their grievances to the Commissioner of Police, urging him to intensify efforts in investigating the killing.
Addressing the Commissioner, Yaji said: “We have already submitted a petition to your office, and while we acknowledge that you are working on it, we urge you to step up efforts to emphasise the seriousness of this tragic event.
“All federal courts, including the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court, and other specialised courts in Benue State did not sit today as a mark of protest. We have also boycotted all court proceedings today.”
This is even as National Record observed that the High Court of Benue State, presided over by the Honourable Justice Kume delivered a ruling in a fundamental Rights Enforcement Suit filed by the dissolved State Executive Committee of the Benue State chapter of the APC Benue led by Austin Agada.
Yaji stated that “this investigation cannot be treated as routine. Such incidents have occurred before, and it is unacceptable that they continue to happen. We do not want this to be swept under the carpet. We urge you to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served.”
The NBA chairman thanked the police for their cooperation and assured them of the association’s continued peaceful conduct.
In response, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police Sewuese Anene, assured the lawyers that justice would be served and appealed for patience.
“I urge you to remain patient and law-abiding as you have always been. The command is working tirelessly to uncover the perpetrators of this heinous act.
“I assure you that those responsible will be brought to justice. We share in your pain, and it is our prayer that God will console you and us all during this difficult time,” she said.
Former NBA State chairman, Titus Tarkule Ihyundu, condemned the killing, describing it as “one too many.”
He expressed frustration over previous unresolved murders of lawyers in the state.
“This is the third time a lawyer has been killed in this manner. Five years ago, Moses Udam and his wife were murdered, and nothing was done. This time, we will not allow such impunity to continue. We demand that the police step up their efforts and bring the perpetrators to justice,” Ihyundu stated.
When asked why members of the public might harbor animosity toward lawyers, Ihyundu said:
“We simply perform our duties as mandated by law. If anyone is aggrieved by our work, it is their issue, not ours. We act within the confines of the law and carry out our responsibilities professionally.”
Similarly, former Chief Magistrate Dan Ogoh expressed dismay over the hostility towards lawyers. He emphasised the vital role lawyers play in society, particularly in dispute resolution.
“Lawyers help resolve disputes, and their services should make them friends of the public, not targets of violence. It is troubling that a society with good lawyers would treat them with disdain,” Ogoh said.
Until his assassination, Ofikwu served as the NBA Chairman of the Otukpo branch.
