AWKA, ANAMBRA –
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Awka Branch, has condemned the alleged brutalization of a lawyer, Charles Ifeanyi, by operatives of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (OCHA-WI) task force. The incident reportedly occurred last Monday at Eke-Awka Market when Ifeanyi intervened to question why an official had slapped a trader during an enforcement exercise. According to the lawyer, his inquiry prompted roughly 15 operatives to descend upon him, beating him until he struck his head on the pavement before handcuffing him and dragging him into a service vehicle.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the NBA’s Publicity Secretary, Michael Ozojiofor, released video evidence showing the lawyer being bundled into a vehicle while onlookers recorded the scene. Ozojiofor highlighted a disturbing level of impunity, noting that when the NBA Human Rights Committee attempted to intervene at the task force office, they were denied access to their colleague and even threatened with detention themselves. The lawyer was eventually released late at night after being held in a cell alongside his brother, who had simply come to check on his welfare.
The NBA has officially petitioned the Commissioner of Police and the Commissioner for Environment, seeking a full investigation and accountability for the officers involved, including members of the Agunaechemba security outfit who allegedly assisted in the assault.
While the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, confirmed that the state is aware of the matter and has promised an investigation, he noted that the task force commander claimed the lawyer had “challenged” the team. However, Ifeanyi, who recently underwent medical testing at Amaku Hospital for his injuries, maintains that he was treated like a criminal for merely speaking out against the manhandling of a citizen.
