The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), has frowned at the attack on an Area Court judge in Gombe, calling for prompt investigation of the case.
In a statement issued by the NBA National Publicity Secretary, Mr Habeeb Lawal, on Friday, three judicial officials, including a judge, were allegedly assaulted by “unknown” villagers on Nov. 5 while inspecting a contested land site in Gombe State’s Balanga Local Government Area.
But Maikyau condemned the attack and called on the NBA Gombe branch to collaborate with the NBA Security Agencies Relations Committee (NBA SARC) and the Police to get to the root of the matter.
“The NBA has confirmed an attack on a judge of the Upper Area Court in Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State, who was visiting a locus in quo.
“The NBA condemns this attack in unequivocal terms and pledges to ensure that the perpetrators of this criminal contempt of court are apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law,” he said
The president also challenged the Commissioner of Police in Gombe to get to the root of this incident.
Reports say the victims, an Upper Area Court III judge Ayuba Buba-Dalas, lawyer Usman Yahya, and a court staff member, had gone to Degri village to assess the disputed property when they were suddenly set upon by local residents wielding weapons, eyewitnesses claim.
Police authorities say an investigation is underway to apprehend the perpetrators who attacked the judicial officers.
The NBA also called for heightened security to protect judges, lawyers, and court staff undertaking legitimate duties nationwide.
In the aftermath, legal experts are advising judges and lawyers to arrange sturdier security details when visiting disputed properties to avert attacks. Even routine tasks like levying executions may require extra safeguards.
