After the gruesome murder of an Imo State-based lawyer, Barr Chinedu George Nwowu, by fleeing gunmen on Wednesday night, all the courts within the Mgbidi, Oguta and Omumma areas of Imo State have been ordered shut yesterday.
Nwowu, who hailed from Mgbidi, was on Wednesday night shot dead along the Mgbidi highway by fleeing gunmen after he was intercepted and dragged out from his car.
Following the killing, the Nigerian Bar Association Orlu branch announced the closure of all courts within the axis.
In a memo issued by Barr Chukwuemeka Okoro on behalf of the branch, the branch notified lawyers that they would have an emergency meeting by 10 am at the high court premises in Mgbidi.
The statement read, “Following the gruesome murder of one of us, CHINEDU NWOWU, last night in his town, Mgbidi, all lawyers of Oru/Oguta Forum are hereby notified of a crucial emergency meeting this morning by 10 am at the High Court, Mgbidi.
“The Mgbidi, Oguta and Omumma High Courts will not sit today. Please, be punctual.”
Meanwhile, the NBA chairman of the Orlu Branch, Barr Ben Amukamara, confirmed that the members were meeting at the Mgbidi High Court premises yesterday following the killing of Nwowu.
Sources said Nwowu was driving along the Mgbidi highway when the gunmen intercepted him at about 7 pm on Wednesday.
A source said after his car was intercepted, the gunmen dragged him out of the vehicle and shot him several times before they fled.
The source said, “We saw a car overtake the man’s car dangerously, and right before our eyes, boys carrying guns just jumped out and stopped the man’s car and dragged him out.
“The gunmen dragged him out from the car and just shot him many times. Then they entered their car and drove off. We were lying on the floor for fear of our lives and watching helplessly. The incident did not last up to five minutes to enable people to rally help from the security operatives.”
According to him, people later came out and rushed the lawyer to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival,” the source said.
Meanwhile, Imo State Police spokesperson Henry Okoye confirmed the incident and said police had commenced an investigation.
He said the police will not allow the perpetrators of the killing to get away with their crime and assured that the police were on top of the case.
Okoye said, “The police are pained by this incident, but I assure you that we will apprehend the hoodlums behind this dastardly act. We have already commenced an investigation, and we will stop at nothing to catch the gang.”
However, on Thursday, court sittings were held at the Orlu Road court premises in Owerri.
However, lawyers were seen discussing the incident in groups but in hushed tones.
