The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for a probe of the bombing of the River State High Court in Ahoada and the alleged case of arson at the court room of another High Court at Okehi, expressing shock at the development.
Making the call on Tuesday, the NBA President, Chief Okey Wali, SAN, said in a statement issued in Abuja that the news of the brazen and dastardly bombing of the Ahoada High Court was a desecration of the temple of justice.
Wali therefore called for an immediate probe of the incident, saying the report should be made public within 30 days. He said the National Security Adviser and the Inspector General of Police should employ all security apparatus at their disposal to identify the culprits and bring them to Justice.
“The Nigerian Bar Association condemns these acts of brigandage and views them not only as sacrilegious, but also as a desecration of the temple of justice.
“The Nigerian Bar Association reiterates that, on no account, will it ever, idly stand by, and watch these acts of violence and impunity to our courts, which are tantamount to an affront to the rule of law and threat to our democracy.
“This underscores the need for government to take the security of lives and property more seriously. The lackadaisical attitude accorded to the security of our courts nationwide, is now brought to the fore. The need to secure the premises of the hallowed courts of justice across the nation should be taken more seriously,” the NBA president said.
According to Wali, “The NBA will not and cannot, be satisfied with the usual mantra of, ‘the Police investigation is continuing’. We demand an immediate and thorough investigation and expect a report, even if, interim, within thirty days of the date of the incidents. Attacks on our courts will not be swept under the carpet.
“We are shocked. It is a total and desecration of the temple of justice .We condemn it in its entirety. We are calling on the President and NSA and IGP to investigate it and we expect that the report of the investigation be available within 30 days it should not be the usual police report that the report is being awaited. We have always called on politicians to play by the rules, whatever grievances anybody has he should go to court.”
