Lawyers in the Mgbidi, Oguta, and Omumma judicial division of Imo, on Thursday, commenced a two-day boycott of courts to protest the alleged murder of their colleague, Chinedu Nwowu.

Mr Nwowu was shot on Wednesday evening in his Mgbidi hometown by yet-to-be-identified assailants.

The chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Orlu Branch, Benneth Amukamara, said the boycott was initiated to condemn the “senseless killing and demand justice for the slain lawyer.”

Mr Amukamara said the action was a clear indication of our outrage and concern for the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues.

“The court we boycotted today was to show our pains and solidarity to the deceased. The boycott continues tomorrow (Friday),” he said.

He said the decision to boycott the courts was not a resolution taken by the NBA Orlu branch but by Oru, Oguta and some unregistered bar forums within the Orlu branch.

He also said there was no time the NBA Orlu branch met to agree to boycott court sittings in the area.

The chairman, who said the issue of insecurity in the state had no bounds, expressed worry over the number of lawyers involved.

“We are not comfortable with that. We have registered our grievances with the Oru Divisional Police Station in Mgbidi, and we were informed that the state has taken up the matter.

“The national body has equally written a press statement urging the police to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of the lawyer,” he said.

The Imo police command did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

(NAN)