Onitsha Lawyers decry State of Insecurity in Justice delivery
By Uzo Ugwunze
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Onitsha Premier Branch has decried the state of insecurity of the nation saying that it has made access to justice difficult for litigants, security agents, legal practioners and the citizens.
‘Access to Justice in the face of Insecurity: the Citizens dilemma’ was the subject matter of the 2021 Bar week which held at Sir. Louis Mbanefo Bar center High court complex, Onitsha.
In his opening remarks, the Anambra State Chief Judge,ACJ Hon. Justice Onochie Anyachebelu encouraged both members of the bar and bench to uphold the tenets of the legal profession despite security challenges saying that the theme was timely.
” There are many factors causing insecurity in the country hence the need for more sensitization. Sensitization is an important tool for curbing insecurity.Every sector in the soceity needs security education,” said Anyachebelu.
Justice Anyachebelu further advised Younger lawyers in the State to toe the line and principles of older ones in the legal profession in order to succeed.
ACJ with some Judges and NBA Onitsha Premier Branch members during the law week
Earlier in his welcome address, the branch Chairman, Steve Onyechi Ononye Esq lamented that both Federal and State governments have failed in their primary duty of providing security for her citizens.
“Save for the Nigerian Civil war, never before has our security system being challenged. Various institutions in the state are at the verge of collapse because Government has failed in providing security.
“In the North,we have security challenges emanating from insurgents groups, herdsmen and bandits. Kidnapping and killing has become the order of the day and people are living in fear of the unknown.
” In the Southern Nigeria, we are besieged by crises emanating from the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB agitating for an Independent nation which has led to shutdown of various key institutions including our courts on Mondays.
“Another group described as’Unknown gunmen have continuously attacked and killed security operatives. Sometimes accused persons on the Awaiting trial list at Correctional facilities could not be brought to court do to fear.
“Judges are not left out because their residence have been continually raided by the Executive arm of Government who should protect them. Who will guard the guards themselves?
” All these constituted to temporarily denial of Justice as ‘Justice delayed is Justice denied’. The accused persons undergo mental torture because they do not know their fate thereby impeding justice delivery,” said Ononye.
Ononye urged those in the corridors of power to be sensitive to the plight of the citizens and salvage the near state of anarchy Nigeria was relapsing into and live up to their responsibilities.
One of the keynote Speakers, Associate Professor Kenneth Ikenga- Oraegbunam identified corruption in the police, bad governance,lack of training, underfunding, lack of credible election as some of the reasons for insecurity.
Ikenga-Oraegbunam urged citizens to start from electing credible people into political offices, stop aiding and abating corruption from the least offices to highest. He urged political office holders to be retrained and shun corruption.
Moreover, during the law week cultural fiesta, the NBA Onitsha Premier Branch Vice Chairman, Mrs. Wilcox Iwuchukwu Esq and the Legal Adviser to the Branch, Sochima Ononye Esq. in their separate speeches stressed the need for people to uphold their culture and traditions regardless of one’s chosen career or profession.
“We Igbos possess rich cultural heritage. We should not throw away our cultural values in the name of embracing civilization. Our language and traditions should not be allowed to go extinct. We should make sure our children imbibe these customs, speak Igbo language and enjoy wearing our Igbo costume or attire.
” Oftentimes, we lawyers are seen on suit and tie which is a borrowed attire required to practice our profession in the law court but today we are unwinding, dancing to cultural beats, being entertained with Igbo quiz competition and local dishes,” they said.
Highlights of the bar week include bar dinner at CJ Patterson hall, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha.
Pics: Anambra State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, some judges,guest lecturers and members of NBA Onitsha during the bar week.
