Access To Justice Condemns Killing Of Customary Court Judge, Nnaemeka Ugboma

•Urges Imo Governor To End Politically-Motivated Violence In Imo State

The killing of Customary Court Judge, Nnaemeka Ugboma, in Imo State, by unknown persons in open court on the 2nd of February 2023 is a horrendous and vicious attack on the administration and delivery of justice in Imo State and escalates a systematic pattern of attacks on institutions and infrastructure of justice in that State for a long while now. While physical buildings of Courts in Imo State have been routinely attacked and burnt over a considerable period now, the vile, brutal killing of Judge Nnaemeka Ugboma takes the intimidation of the Judiciary to whole new levels, unprecedented in Nigeria’s history. There are reports that, before this time, some courts in Imo State had virtually stopped sitting in the State because of safety concerns, and the targeting and killing of a judicial officer in the course of carrying out judicial functions will amplify and aggravate fears of insecurity which judicial officers, and indeed residents of Imo State entertain.

Attacks possibly facilitated by the politicization of conflict in Imo State

It is unfortunate that Nigeria’s security forces were unable to prevent the killing of Judge Nnaemeka Ugboma, in spite of clear evidence that institutions of justice have been very specifically targeted and were susceptible to these attacks by unknown persons. It is also, on balance, possible to infer that the killing of Judge Nnaemeka Ugboma is not unconnected with, or facilitated by the government’s politicization of safety, security, and well-being in Imo State, and the war of attrition that characterizes the conflict between government forces and those of individuals of unknown affiliations, or, as characteristically called, “unknown gunmen”. Unfortunately, Imo State has been a hotbed and stamping ground for politically motivated killings and violence against members of the political opposition. The Imo State Governor must develop a feasible and inclusive strategy to bring an end to the waves of political violence that has ensnared and enveloped the State, and renounce the incendiary “fire for fire” approach to the security problems; an approach that has drawn more violence and retaliation, and results in spiralling bloodbaths and the extrajudicial killing of Imo State people.

Chief Justice of Nigeria and Imo State Chief Judge must act now to prevent further attacks

The Imo State Judiciary must now demand better protection of its judges and courthouses, and the Chief Judge of Imo State, working in lockstep with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, should take up issues of safety and security of Judges and courthouses in the State with the federal government and its security forces. The Federal Government must address the security situation in Imo State with urgency and forthrightness.  

Joseph Otteh

Convener

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