The Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Awka Branch, has demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged assault of a lawyer by operatives of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, OCHA, task force at the Eke-Awka Market in Awka, Anambra State.
The association condemned the incident, which reportedly occurred on Monday, describing it as a disturbing display of impunity by operatives of a state-run enforcement agency charged with maintaining environmental sanitation and public order.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Publicity Secretary of the NBA, Awka Branch, Michael Ozojiofor, identified the victim as Barrister Charles Ifeanyi.
He alleged that the lawyer was brutally attacked by members of the task force, including operatives of the Agunaechemba security outfit, following what the association described as a false claim that he obstructed their enforcement exercise.
Ozojiofor said video clips accompanying the statement captured the moment the lawyer was forcefully dragged into the task force vehicle as traders and passers-by watched and recorded the incident.
He added that subsequent images and videos showed visible injuries sustained by the lawyer.
According to him, members of the NBA Human Rights Committee who visited the task force office were informed that the operatives were carrying out an enforcement operation and that the lawyer allegedly challenged their authority.
“He was detained in their cell alongside his brother, who had gone to inquire about his arrest,” Ozojiofor said, adding that the operatives also denied the human rights team access to the detained lawyer and threatened to arrest them as well.
He described the conduct of the operatives as a reflection of long-standing lawlessness and abuse of power against residents, noting that some officers even suggested that the visiting lawyers should be treated in the same manner.
The NBA said it had formally notified the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, as well as the Nigeria Police Force, over what it described as persistent acts of misconduct by the task force.
“The branch condemns this assault in strong terms and will take all necessary steps to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” Ozojiofor stated.
Speaking separately, the assaulted lawyer, Charles Ifeanyi, said the incident occurred between 3 pm and 5 pm at Ezenwa Plaza within the Eke-Awka Market.
He explained that he was at the market when task force operatives began confiscating a trader’s goods.
“As the goods were falling, the trader followed them pleading. Suddenly, one of the officials slapped him,” Ifeanyi said.
“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.”
He said he hit his head on the pavement during the assault, after which he was handcuffed, dragged into a vehicle, and his phone seized along with those of individuals who were recording the incident.
Ifeanyi further alleged that operatives of the Agunaechemba security outfit later joined in the assault before he was taken to a detention facility in Awka, where he was held for several hours and released late at night.
“I sustained injuries to my head and body. I have just returned from Amaku Hospital, where I underwent medical examinations. The results are still being awaited,” he said.
The lawyer disclosed that petitions had been submitted to the Commissioner of Police, with copies forwarded to the Commissioner for Environment, who oversees the task force.
Reacting to the development, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, confirmed that the incident occurred, noting that investigations had been initiated.
“Although 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.
Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odimegwu, were unsuccessful as calls and messages to his phone were not returned as of the time of filing this report.
