NBA condemns murder of two lawyers in Delta

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Warri Branch has strongly condemned the murder of two of its members, Horace Eguono Dafiaghor and Samuel Ekwuaghanju on March 27, 2014, just as it called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP, to carry out a thorough investigation on the matter so as to bring killers of their colleagues to justice.

The NBA made the condemnation in a Press Statement at the Magistrate Court 1, Warri shortly after staging a peaceful protest in major streets of Warri such as Warri- Sapele road, Main-Market junction, Warri Main Garage, Lower Erejuwa- Eboh road, Cinema Site off Avenue, Okumagba Estate, Okere Market Road, Esisi Road and Mabiaku Street before terminating at the court.

The NBA Warri Branch Chairman in a press statement also called on the National Human Rights Commission to carry out thorough investigation on the incident.

In the Press Statement which is titled "We condemn the murder of Our Colleagues ," the Warri Branch Chairman of NBA, Ben Oji Esq said the brief relating to the unfortunate incident shows that Horace Eguono Dafiaghor Esq was engaged as Counsel to the accused persons in charge No.HCZ/9C/13:State VS Sunday Ugbebo& Omovigho Odioko in a case at the High Court, Ozoro in which the accused persons are standing trial for the alleged kidnap of the son of Comrade Ovuzorie Macauley, Secretary to Delta State Government.

According to him, Horace had complained severally to the court and his colleagues that he was being threatened to withdraw from the case, alleging that Horace traced his threat to the policemen. The NBA boss stated that whenever the case came up in court, there was always a large detachment of armed policemen numbering about 100 with over 20hilux vans who took over the entire court premises and the surroundings.

He said Horace Eguono Dafiaghor Esq then filed a habeas corpus application HCZ/M/2/2014; Ogaga Enueme VS COP, which was fixed for ruling on March 27,2007 and it was whilst on his way to the High Court, Ozoro with his junior in chambers, Samuel Ekwuaghanju Esq that they met their untimely death, alleging that from all indication their vehicle was diverted or was forced off the Ughelli- Oleh Raod to a side road where they were shot in the head at a very close range outside the car.

The NBA Chairman further disclosed that the client in respect of whom he filed the application, Ogaga Enueme was also killed on the same day, March 27, 2014.

In a twist from its earlier position, the Delta State Police Command has declared 5 suspects: Chuks SNU, Obeji SNU, Kelvin SNU Kaya Morgan and Shakara wanted in connection with the recent assassination of the two lawyers, Horace Eguono Dafiaghor Esq and Samuel Ekwaghanju.

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