, Anambra State Chapter, has strongly condemned the brutal and senseless murder of one of its){kind=link}
Nigerian Bar Association NBA urged the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and all relevant security agencies to intensify their investigation efforts and ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Anambra State Chapter, has strongly condemned the brutal and senseless murder of one of its members, Mr. Ifeanyi-Rolex Iloakasia, who was killed alongside his client in Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area.
According to reports, Mr. Iloakasia, a legal practitioner with the Otuocha Branch of the NBA, met his untimely death on May 15, 2025, while returning from a court sitting at the Ekwulobia High Court. The assailants ambushed and murdered him and his client under circumstances the NBA has described as heinous and deeply disturbing.
IREPORT247NEWS had earlier reported that a local source familiar with the incident stated, “The case the lawyer was handling was a major one. The attack took place near the boundary between Nanka and Agulu, along the Amawbia-Agulu-Nanka-Ekwulobia-Uga-Akokwa road, early Thursday morning.
The gunmen first shot the lawyer and then targeted his client, who attempted to flee but was also gunned down. The attackers fled the scene immediately afterward.”
In a statement jointly signed by K.G. Abonyi, Chairman of the Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of the NBA in Anambra State, the association denounced the attack as a direct affront on the legal profession, the sanctity of life, and the rule of law.
“The NBA in Anambra is not only grieving but also profoundly outraged by this cowardly and senseless act. This is another dark moment for the legal community in the state, especially as we are still reeling from the painful loss of Mr. Awa P. Awa, former Vice Chairman of the NBA Ihiala Branch, whose murder remains fresh in our hearts,” the statement read.
In response to the tragic event, the Committee has directed a total boycott of all court sittings across Anambra State from May 20 to May 21, 2025, as a mark of protest and mourning. The association emphasized that such an attack on a legal practitioner, while discharging his professional duty, is unacceptable and must not go unpunished.
Calling for immediate action, the NBA urged the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and all relevant security agencies to intensify their investigation efforts and ensure that the perpetrators of the crime are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.
“We acknowledge the prompt response of the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, who personally visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment and initiated preliminary investigations. However, we demand that the momentum be sustained and that all involved agencies collaborate to uncover the truth and ensure justice is served without delay,” the association said.
The NBA lamented the growing insecurity facing legal practitioners in the state, stressing that the legal profession cannot thrive in an environment riddled with fear, violence, and impunity.
“It is disheartening that too many lawyers have fallen victim to insecurity. The pattern is deeply troubling and poses a serious threat to the administration of justice and the rule of law,” the statement added.
In a direct appeal to the state government, the NBA called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to prioritize security reforms and strengthen security architecture across the state to prevent future tragedies.
“The safety of citizens, particularly those who serve the public good and uphold the tenets of justice, must be guaranteed. We call on the government to revamp security operations and adopt proactive measures to safeguard the lives of all residents and professionals operating within the state,” the statement concluded.