…NBA described the situation as a clear display of impunity.
ANAMBRA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Awka Branch, has denounced the alleged assault on a lawyer by operatives of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra task force, urging the state government and relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident.
The task force is a state-backed enforcement body charged with environmental sanitation, enforcement of cleanliness policies and the maintenance of public order across Anambra State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the NBA Awka Branch Publicity Secretary, Michael Ozojiofor, said the incident occurred on Monday at Eke-Awka Market in Awka, the state capital.
He alleged that the lawyer, identified as Barrister Charles Ifeanyi, was attacked by task force operatives, including personnel of the Agunaechemba security outfit, following what he described as a baseless claim that the lawyer interfered with their enforcement exercise.
Ozojiofor said video footage attached to the statement showed the lawyer being forcibly dragged into a task force vehicle as traders and passers-by recorded the incident. He added that the images clearly revealed the injuries sustained by the lawyer after the attack.
“The pictures and videos show the face of Barrister Charles Ifeanyi, who was beaten by operatives without any justifiable cause,” he said.
According to the NBA spokesperson, members of the association’s Human Rights Committee who visited the task force office were told that the operatives were on an enforcement exercise and that the lawyer challenged them. He added that Ifeanyi was detained alongside his brother, who had gone to inquire about the incident.
He further alleged that the operatives denied the human rights team access to the lawyer and threatened to detain them as well, describing the situation as a clear display of impunity.
Ozojiofor said some operatives openly suggested that the lawyers should also be treated in the same manner.
He added that the NBA had notified the state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, as well as the Nigeria Police Force, over what he described as persistent lawlessness by the task force.
“The branch strongly condemns the actions of the task force and will take all necessary steps to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” he said.
Speaking on the incident, the affected lawyer, Charles Ifeanyi, said the assault occurred between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Ezenwa Plaza within Eke-Awka Market.
He said he was at the market when task force officials were confiscating a trader’s goods and slapped the trader during the process.
“I only asked why the trader was slapped when he did nothing wrong. Immediately, about 15 of them descended on me and started beating me,” Ifeanyi said.
He added that he hit his head on the pavement during the attack and was handcuffed and forced into their vehicle, while phones of people recording the incident were seized.
According to him, operatives of the Agunaechemba security outfit later joined in assaulting him before he was taken to their detention facility in Awka.
“They detained me for several hours and released me late at night. I sustained injuries to my head and body and have since undergone medical tests at Amaku Hospital, the results of which are still awaited,” he said.
Ifeanyi disclosed that petitions had been submitted to the Commissioner of Police and copied to the Commissioner for Environment, who oversees the task force.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, confirmed the incident but noted that investigations would be carried out.
“While it is wrong for anyone to be manhandled, I spoke with the commander, who claimed the lawyer challenged the enforcement team. An investigation will, however, be conducted,” he said.
Attempts to reach the Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odimegwu, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to his phone had not been returned as of press time.
