Soludo quicken our access to justice, my client's life, others are in danger- Lawyers

 

By Okechukwu Onuegbu

A native of Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mr Bonaventure Ezekwenna has through his legal solicitors, Orators legal Practitioners, appealed for governor Chukwuma Soludo's urgent intervention to quicken their access to justice and freedom from threats to life.

Ezekwenna, in a petition signed by the Managing Partner, Orators Legal Practitioners, CI Udeh, the Senior Counsel, Jude Obiora Okakwu and SA Usman, alleged that there were sabotage, perversion of justice and threats to life.

The petitioner, while addressing a press conference in Awka, on Monday, flanked by a senior counsel in the chamber, Barr. Jude Obiora, alleged that some state counsels assigned by the State Attorney General's office were contributing to delays in his quest for justice with respect to two criminal cases where he was a nominal complainant against a suspect.

An excerpt from the petition read, "It may be recalled that the first criminal case against the defendant arose from investigation report of the Force criminal investigation department (FCID) headquarters, Abuja, dared 12 October, 2022, which recommended prosecution of Mr Chijioke Okaa for various offences committees against our client and the sate bordering on: obtaining by false pretence, threat to life, malicious damage, and giving false information.

"The second criminal case against the same defendant, Mr Okaa emanated from the FCID second investigation report of 5 February, 2024 which established even graver allegations of crimes against Mr Okaa and one Mr Femi Salako bordering on attempted abduction and assassination of our client in August 2023, repeated threats and attempts at extortion."

According to Ezekwenna, several attempts made by him and his lawyers to secure justice for the cases were frustrated even as his life, including those of his Counsels and witnesses were currently under threats as the suspects move about freely, and the resources he brought in to invest in the State left unused to date.

The United States of America Army veteran lamented that denying him access to justice could discourage more Anambra natives and foreign investors from returning to invest in the State, as well as empower criminals to unleash more terrors in the State having discovered that nothing could happen to them.

He, therefore, urged governor Soludo to "order an urgent and independent review of the handling of these cases by the office of Attorney General's office, and direct immediate prosecution of the suspects in line with the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) investigation reports of 12 October, 2022 and 5 February, 2024.

"Discipline or sanction erring officers whose conduct has compromised the integrity of the State. Provide adequate protection for our client, his family, and legal representatives in view of the persistent threats to life. We respectfully urge your Excellency to act decisively and without further delay.

"Our client has suffered unimaginable threats, intimidation, extortion and harassment, all of which enabled by the inaction of those entrusted with prosecuting crime in your state. We place his life, safety and quest for justice in the hands of Your Excellency, trusting in your proven resolve to security, integrity and justice in Anambra."

But when contacted on phone, the Anambra State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje appealed to Ezekwenna not to drag her image to the mud but should write the governor, because her office has never failed in providing him with prosecuting counsels whenever he requested for one.