NBA President call for immediate release of Wali

Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

‪The national president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Augustine Alegeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has called for immediate and unconditional release of his predecessor, Okey Wali (SAN), who was abducted on Saturday, by unknown gunmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

Alegeh made the appeal, today, when he paid a solidarity visit to the victim’s family members, in his home at Rumualogu, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

Addressing journalists at the Wali’s residence accompanied by the chairmen of the five branches of NBA in the state and some members of the bar, the national president decried the spate of insecurity in the country.

“He has served the country very well, he has always fought for the defenceless and we therefore appeal passionately for his safety and delivery, that’s why we have come here today,” he said.

He said that NBA has always said that the principal function of government is to provide for the welfare and security of the people, that’s the constitutional role of government.

“And, if we are faced with situations, where kidnapping still exists in our country, it shows that there is failure on the part of government and we have called on government also to please step up their acts and take more proactive steps at addressing the security situation in the country,” he said.

On punishment to kidnappers, Alegeh argued that capital punishment was not a solution to crime. “The most important thing is that we should have a proper police force that is well funded and well equipped and that is grounded with the people. And, I believe that we have the resources to police this country, whether we have the will-power is in doubt.

“But, certainly we have the resources to police the country and I call on government again and again that there is an absolute urgent need to step up security measures all across the country”.

Commenting on the state judiciary crisis, he frowned at the state government and the National Judicial Council (NJC) for allowing the problem to linger.

“Two things I will tell you, number one is that the crisis in Rivers judiciary is in court and makes it subjudice. Therefore, I cannot comment on the merit of the case in court. But, I will say where a matter that involves the judiciary is taking months and months and months to resolve, it shows that we need to revamp our judicial system for there to be speedy dispensation of justice.

He said that the case is about the chief judge of Rivers State, the defendants in the case, National Judicial Council, which is the highest body in the judiciary. “If that body has a case in court challenging its decision and that case is sleeping in the court it is a serious problem in the judicial system. And the NBA has called on all parties involved that the law is clear they should obey the law.

“Secondly, we have also appealed to the relevant courts that where you have political cases you talk of 180 days and every piece of it is part of life and death and no courts would have sat on a day after Christmas, sat before new year and then when it involves who is chief judge of Rivers, we are talking of vacation; why should we have vacation when a matter of urgency can be done during vacation? What could be more urgent than the rightful chief judge of Rivers State?

“The matters are in court and the courts can determine this matter within two weeks. This is a matter that, if it goes on appeal from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court, it can be determined within a week. We have seen it being done; but why, when it involves the judiciary the judiciary itself is sleeping on duty. it beats me hollow,” he said.