ADESINA OGUNLANA LAUDS NBA BENIN BRANCH ON STANCE OVER KIDNAPPING

Mr. Adesina Ogunlana, immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch , Convener of Citizens' Rally against Oppression and presidential aspirant on ProgressiveBar2020 platform in the forthcoming 2020 national elections of the Nigerian Bar Association has lauded the Benin Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association  (Lio n Bar) for her stance over the exarcebrating level of kidnapping of lawyers and Judges with the widely-publicised condemnation of the    worsening and deteriorating security situation in Edo State as exemplified with the kidnap of HON. JUSTICE NWOSU-IHEME, PhD, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Benin Division owing to the activities of armed bandits who have laid siege in the entire state which is no longer safe for indigenes and foreigners.

This was made known in a press statement issued by Ayo Ademiluyi, the Secretary of the Citizens' Rally against Oppression and Director of Media, Strategy, Publicity and Communications of #ProgressiveBar2020.


It would be recalled  that about a month ago, the Benin Bar called off the boycott of courts in respect of cases of Armed Robbery and Kidnapping which was in force since 17th of April, 2019. The Resolution leading to the boycott was prompted by the rising trend of kidnap of Lawyers and other indigenes of Edo State and the rampant incidence of Armed Robbery which in fact needed a declaration of as state of emergency in the state.

It would also be further recalled that few days ago, Honourable Justice Abdu Dogo of the Federal High Court, Akure division, was a guest to the armed bandits who abducted him around Ibilo axis in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.

Also in  broad daylight wanton operation on the busy Ramat Park few weeks ago leading to the abduction of the Chief Medical Director of the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and the killing of police officers attached to him. HON. JUSTICE NWOSU-IHEME, PhD, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Benin Division was on 30th October, 2019 about noon abducted by gunmen along Benin-Agbor Road; His Lordship’s orderly was not spared as he was brutally gunned down while other occupants of the vehicle were hit by bullets and are receiving treatment at the hospital.

The Lion Bar has relaunched its call on the Government at all levels particularly Edo State to as a matter of urgency overhaul the security architecture of the State. The Benin Bar has stated that  security of lives and property is the responsibility of Government. Our Judicial Officers must also be given adequate security in their homes, work place and on the whole on a journey. Lawyers and indeed other citizens must be adequately protected.

Mr. Ogunlana saluted the appeal of the Benin Bar  to the abductors to release His Lordship, HON. JUSTICE NWOSU-IHEME, PhD unconditionally and unhurt. Mr. Ogunlana lauded the stance of the Benin Bar  not hesitate to resume our Boycott of Courts should Government fail to secure the release of His Lordship within Seventy-Two (72) Hours.

Mr. Adesina Ogunlana expressed solidarity with  the Nigerian Bar Association (Lion Bar), Benin Branch as it holds  an Extra Ordinary Emergency Meeting on Friday the 1st day of November, 2019 at 2:00pm at the NBA, Benin Bar House, G.R.A., Benin City to resolve on the position of the Branch on the growing level of insecurity .

Mr. Ogunlana calsl on both the leadership and members to resolve to taking all means of mass resistance , within the ambits of the law , including but not limited to Street protests, court boycotts and other sundry actions to press home the demands on insecurity.

Mr. Ogunlana restated his historic#RadicalAgenda for the Nigerian Bar Association to provide rock-solid leadership to the Nigerian Bar Association at this trying hour of national trauma with array of attacks being planned by all sections of the ruling class on the living conditions of Citizens in 2020 , a year of economic Armegeddon and beyond.