The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Awka Branch, has condemned the alleged brutalisation and unlawful detention of a legal practitioner, Barrister Charles Ifeanyi, by operatives of the Ocha Brigade in Awka, describing the incident as another example of “unchecked impunity and lawlessness.”
According to a statement issued by the NBA Awka Branch Publicity Secretary, Ozojiofor Michael Esq., the incident came to light while he was at the Central Police Station (CPS), Awka, attending to a client.
“I was at CPS Awka attending to a client when I got a call from Barrister Charles Ifeanyi’s number,” Michael said. “I picked up, and the voice identified himself as the brother of Barrister Charles and that he was instructed to call me. I informed him that I wasn’t disposed and sent him the number of the Secretary of the Human Rights Committee of the NBA Awka Branch.”
Michael added that photographs obtained by the branch showed visible injuries allegedly sustained by Barrister Ifeanyi after he was beaten by members of the Ocha Brigade. “The pictures below depict the face of the lawyer who was beaten by the Ocha Brigade without any good reason,” he stated.
He explained that when members of the NBA Awka Human Rights Committee arrived at the scene, operatives of the Ocha Brigade claimed they were carrying out an enforcement duty and alleged that the lawyer had challenged them.
“Barrister Charles Ifeanyi was locked up in their cell together with his brother, who had only come to find out what transpired,” Michael said.
The NBA further alleged that even with the presence of its Human Rights Committee, access to the detained lawyer was denied. “They were threatened that they would be locked up where they locked up Onye Eze Jesus,” the statement claimed.
Michael described the episode as reflective of a longstanding pattern of abuse. “That’s the level of impunity that has been witnessed and meted out by the Ocha Brigade for a long time now,” he said, alleging that other groups, including Agu na Eche Mba, were used to harass members of the public.
He further alleged that during the confrontation, operatives suggested extending the same treatment to NBA officials. “Even as the lawyers stood there, the Agu na Eche Mba asked the Ocha Brigade if they should handle the lawyers from the Human Rights Committee in the same manner,” he said.
The NBA Awka Branch said it has drawn the attention of Anambra State authorities and the Nigeria Police Force to what it described as persistent and unchecked abuses.
“I am calling the attention of Law Mefor and the Nigeria Police Force to this persistent impunity that has been left uncurtailed,” Michael said.
In a strong condemnation, the branch said it would pursue accountability. “The Branch condemns vehemently the actions of the Ocha Brigade team vehemently and reiterates that steps will be taken to ensure that those culpable face the music,” the statement read.
The NBA also linked the alleged abuses to the current state administration, insisting that the trend must end. “This impunity and lawlessness by Ocha Brigade, Agu na Eche Mba and their likes, which has persisted under Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s administration, has to stop,” the association stated.
