By Kelvin Utebor
WARRI, The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Warri branch, has condemned the murder of their member, Mrs. Nkiru Agbasu (Nee Obe) and has called for full investigation, arrest and prosecution of her killers.
The group through it’s chairman, Chief Emmanuel O. Uti. NBA Warri Branch made this demand during a press release after an emergency meeting of the branch in Warri.
According to the statement, “the Officers and Members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Warri Branch, have received with rude shock the gruesome murder on 16th February, 2021, of a member of the Branch, Mrs. Nkiru Agbasu(nee Ibe), which allegedly occurred along Warri – Sapele Road, Delta State.”
“The report, though sketchy, indicates that Mrs. Nkiru Agbasu (nee Ibe) was traveling from Warri to Sapele, Delta State, when the alleged commercial vehicle she was traveling in was attacked at gun point by unknown armed men who shot at her.
“This was despite her being visibly and heavily pregnant.
“Until her death, she was a Legal Practitioner in active private legal practice with the Law firm of B. N. Okpuzo & Co., Warri, and was an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Warri Branch.
“The Branch condemns in totality the execution-style shooting of Mrs. Nkiru Agbasu(nee Ibe) who was heavily pregnant at the time of her death and states that her unwarranted murder is one attack too many, targeted at Lawyers carrying out their lawful duties.
“The Branch is worried and suspicious that, Mrs. Nkiru Agbasu(nee Ibe)might have been assassinated, as the alleged commercial vehicle where Mrs. Nkiru Agbasu(nee Ibe) was travelling in, is no where to be found and no occupant of the said vehicle can be traced.
“The Branch recalls with pain, the unresolved murder, in similar fashion of Eguono Horace Dafioghor, Esq. and Samuel Eguanghanju, Esq., both members of the NBA Warri Branch and happening within the last decade.
“Till date, the Nigerian Security Agencies, have failed to find the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, left the investigations inconclusive, the murders unresolved and the Branch and their immediate families crying for Justice.
“The effrontery with which the perpetrators carried out the dastardly act of murder confirms the failure of Government to secure the lives and properties of citizens in Nigeria and Delta State in particular.
“In recent times, there has been an unprecedented increase in cases of murder, kidnapping, armed robbery etc, with lawful citizens at the mercy of these criminals while the Government watches helplessly.
“Constitutionally, the security and welfare of the citizens remain the primary purpose of Government. Consequently, we hereby call on the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Government of Delta State and the several security agencies to rise to the occasion and fulfill their constitutional responsibilities and urgently nip the rising cases of these crimes/offences within Delta State in the bud and indeed Nigeria generally.
“The unequivocal demand of the Branch in the present murder of Mrs. Nkiru Agbasu (nee Ibe) is that, it must not go the way of the previous unresolved murders of lawyers among others in the society.
We further demand for a full and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances that led to the unlawful and gruesome murder of Mrs. Nkiru Agbasu (nee Ibe) and her unborn child from the Department of State Services(DSS), Delta State, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command and the Area Commanders of the Nigeria Police Force of Sapele and Warri Area Commands since this illegal act took place within their jurisdictions.
“This killing must not go unresolved like others before it. Enough is Enough!
“We express our heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of our murdered colleague, her friends and the grieving members of the Bar.” The statement read.
