…Wants Gov Uzodinma to end politically-motivated violence in Imo
Access to Justice (AJ) has condemned the killing of Customary Court Judge, Nnaemeka Ugboma Esq. in Imo State, by unknown persons in open court on February 2, saying that the action is a horrendous and vicious attack on the administration and delivery of justice in Imo State.
It added that the development has escalated a systematic pattern of attacks on institutions and infrastructure of justice in that State for a long while now.
Access to Justice stated this in a statement made available to TheIdeal News by its Convener, Joseph Otteh
According to Otteh, “While physical buildings of Courts in Imo State have been routinely attacked and burnt over a considerable period now, the vile, brutal killing of Judge Nnaemeka Ugboma takes the intimidation of the Judiciary to whole new levels, unprecedented in Nigeria’s history.
“There are reports that, prior to this time, some courts in Imo State had virtually stopped sitting in the state because of safety concerns, and the targeting and killing of a judicial officer in the course of carrying out judicial functions will amplify and aggravate fears of insecurity which judicial officers, and indeed residents of Imo State entertain.
Otteh further disclosed that it is unfortunate that Nigeria’s security forces were unable to prevent the killing of Judge Nnaemeka Ugboma, in spite of clear evidence that institutions of justice have been very specifically targeted and were susceptible to these attacks by unknown persons.
He said, “It is also, on balance, possible to infer that the killing of Judge Nnaemeka Ugboma is not unconnected with, or facilitated by the government’s politicization of safety, security and well-being in Imo State, and the war of attrition that characterizes the conflict between government forces and those of persons of unknown affiliations, or, as characteristically called, “unknown gunmen”.
“Unfortunately, Imo State has been a hotbed and stamping ground for politically-motivated killings and violence against members of the political opposition.
The Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma must develop a feasible and inclusive strategy to bring an end to the waves of political violence that has ensnared and enveloped the State, and renounce the incendiary “fire for fire” approach to the security problems; an approach that has drawn more violence and retaliation, and results in spiraling bloodbaths and the extrajudicial killing of Imo State people.
The AJ Convener is also calling on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola and Imo State Chief Judge to act without further delay and prevent further attacks
Otteh said, ” The Imo State Judiciary must now demand better protection of its judges and court houses, and the Chief Judge of Imo State, working in lockstep with the Chief Justice of Nigeria should take up issues of safety and security of Judges and courthouses in the State with the Federal Government and its security forces. The Federal Government must address the security situation in Imo State with urgency and forthrightness.
 has condemned the killing of Customary Court Judge, Nnaemeka Ugboma Esq. in Imo State, by unknown persons){kind=link}