Threats Against Lawyer of Imo Broadcaster Nonsokwa Raise Safety Concerns

Views: 6

The lawyer representing Imo radio broadcaster Chinonso Uba, known as Nonsokwa, has reported receiving death threats from unknown callers. C.K. Mgbekeonye seeks urgent intervention from the police following alarming incidents and fears for his life due to his legal work on the case.

The ongoing legal battle involving Imo State radio broadcaster Chinonso Uba, affectionately known as Nonsokwa, has taken a distressing turn as his defense counsel, C.K. Mgbekeonye, has raised alarms over a series of threatening calls he has received since taking on Uba’s case. This situation has escalated to the point where Mgbekeonye fears for his life, prompting him to seek intervention from both the Imo State Commissioner of Police and the Inspector General of Police.

Mgbekeonye’s petition, filed on October 28, 2024, details the harassment he has endured since representing Uba at a Magistrate Court in Owerri just days earlier, on October 23. Uba faces grave charges of conspiracy, treason, and arson, brought against him by the state police command, accusations that have stirred significant public interest and concern. The case has been marked by tension, as both Uba’s supporters and critics express strong opinions on the matter.

Since his first appearance in court, Mgbekeonye reports receiving calls from individuals using hidden numbers. These unknown callers have issued chilling warnings, threatening his life if he continues to represent Uba in the ongoing case. Mgbekeonye detailed his harrowing experience in his petition, emphasizing that his role as a legal practitioner should be safeguarded from such threats and intimidation.

The first of these unsettling communications arrived shortly after Mgbekeonye’s initial court appearance. The caller, masked by anonymity, warned him to withdraw his legal representation for Uba or face dire consequences. As days passed, the calls became more aggressive, with one particularly menacing interaction occurring just days later. On October 26, while returning from his office along Toronto-MCC Road in Owerri, Mgbekeonye reported being followed by a black Toyota Hilux with tinted windows. Sensing imminent danger, he sought refuge at the nearby Toronto Police Divisional Headquarters.

Upon reaching Road Safety, Mgbekeonye received yet another call from the same unknown number, intensifying his fear and prompting him to take action. In his petition, he outlined the urgency of the situation, stating, “The assailants, having discovered their failure to have me eliminated, brazenly called me again with still unknown number and threatened me to withdraw my legal representation for Uba.” Such threats undermine the fundamental principles of justice, where legal practitioners should be able to operate without fear of violence or intimidation.

Mgbekeonye stressed that his professional duties as a lawyer must not subject him to inhumane treatment or threats to his life. “I’m a legal practitioner discharging my professional duties within the bounds of the law and as such, should not be subjected to any form of inhuman treatment or threat to life in the course of discharging my professional duty,” he affirmed in his plea for help.

This alarming situation raises broader questions about the safety of legal practitioners in high-profile cases in Nigeria, where threats against lawyers and judges are not uncommon. The legal community is often exposed to risks, particularly when representing clients accused of serious crimes or those involved in politically sensitive cases. Mgbekeonye’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by lawyers who strive to uphold the rule of law in an environment fraught with intimidation.

The implications of these threats extend beyond Mgbekeonye’s personal safety. They highlight the systemic issues within the justice system, where legal representatives can become targets for representing unpopular clients or challenging the status quo. Such circumstances can discourage lawyers from taking on cases that require legal representation, ultimately impacting access to justice for individuals who may already be marginalized within the legal system.

In his petition, Mgbekeonye called for immediate action, appealing for the police to take his situation seriously and to provide protection for him and his colleagues. “In consideration of these foregoing facts as elucidated upon, we hereby request for your urgent intervention into this complaint before the assailants would succeed in carrying out their threat,” he implored the authorities.

The response from law enforcement and the legal community will be crucial in determining the outcome of this troubling episode. A failure to adequately address the threats against Mgbekeonye could set a dangerous precedent, signaling to potential assailants that intimidation tactics can succeed without consequence.

As the situation unfolds, it remains imperative for legal institutions in Nigeria to prioritize the safety of their practitioners. Providing adequate protection for lawyers, particularly those involved in high-stakes cases, is essential to fostering a legal environment where justice can be pursued without fear. Mgbekeonye’s case, and the threats he faces, should serve as a rallying point for discussions on the need for enhanced security measures and protections for all legal practitioners in Nigeria.

As the public awaits further developments in the case against Uba and the response from law enforcement, one thing is clear: the safety of lawyers engaged in the pursuit of justice must be safeguarded to ensure that the rule of law prevails and that every individual has the right to a fair defense without the threat of violence.