Anambra Police Confirm Murder of Lawyer and Client After Bail Hearing in High-Profile Case
Tragedy struck the legal and civic community in Anambra State on Wednesday, May 14, when a legal practitioner and his client were brutally murdered in Egbebelu village, Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area. The incident, confirmed by the Anambra State Police Command, has sent shockwaves across the state, highlighting the growing insecurity and audacity of criminal elements operating with near impunity.
According to a statement issued by the Anambra State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the lawyer and his client had just concluded court proceedings at High Court II, Ekwulobia, where the lawyer had successfully secured bail for the client in a pending murder case. Preliminary investigations suggest that the duo was targeted and trailed from the court premises by unidentified gunmen who ambushed and opened fire on them on their way back.
One individual in the vehicle managed to survive the deadly ambush and is currently receiving medical treatment. The survivor, whose identity remains undisclosed for security reasons, has reportedly provided law enforcement with vital information, including the sequence of events and possible identities of the assailants. The police debriefed the survivor and are using the obtained intelligence to intensify investigations and track down the killers.
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DSP Ikenga further revealed that the bodies of the deceased have been recovered and positively identified by their respective families. A red Toyota Camry, believed to belong to one of the victims, was also recovered from the scene, indicating the premeditated and coordinated nature of the attack. The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State has ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence teams to ensure a thorough investigation and swift apprehension of the perpetrators.
The Anambra State Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed profound shock and outrage over the killings. In a statement signed by the branch chairman, the NBA condemned the gruesome act as a direct attack on the legal profession and the justice system in Nigeria.
“We are deeply horrified by this tragedy. The cold-blooded murder of a colleague and his client, just after a court session, is a dangerous precedent that threatens the sanctity of the legal process and the security of legal practitioners,” the statement read. The NBA has called on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done.
Legal observers say the killings point to an emerging and worrying trend in the region where lawyers, judges, and witnesses involved in criminal trials face threats to their lives. This is particularly pronounced in high-profile or politically sensitive cases.
“We’ve seen an increase in violence around legal proceedings, especially where murder and land disputes are involved,” said Barrister Nduka Ezeoke, a legal analyst based in Awka. “This incident may not be an isolated one but part of a larger pattern of intimidation aimed at derailing justice.”
Security experts also believe the murder of a lawyer and his client following a bail hearing sends a chilling message to legal practitioners and defendants alike, potentially leading to a climate of fear where lawyers may begin to avoid defending individuals involved in controversial or violent cases.
Residents of Nanka and surrounding communities were stunned by the brazen daylight murder. Local youths took to social media to condemn the killings, while community leaders urged the state government to increase security patrols in and around court jurisdictions and rural roads.
“This kind of evil must not go unpunished. We can’t allow a situation where people are afraid to go to court or come back from court,” said Chief Linus Obiechina, a community leader in Nanka. He emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation between local vigilante groups and the police to ensure the safety of residents and legal personnel.
While the identity of the client and the specific murder case involved have not been publicly disclosed by the authorities, sources close to the investigation indicate that the original case may have involved a politically connected individual or had links to land disputes—two recurring sources of violent conflict in Anambra State.
DSP Tochukwu Ikenga noted that all leads are being pursued and urged anyone with useful information to come forward. He reassured the public that the police would leave no stone unturned in unraveling the circumstances behind the attack.
Human rights organizations and civil society groups have weighed in on the killings, warning that such violence threatens democratic values and the rule of law. The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) and the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) released joint statements condemning the attack and urging the state and federal governments to take immediate action.
“When legal professionals are no longer safe in the discharge of their duties, democracy itself is under siege,” said Emeka Umeagbalasi, a leading civil rights advocate. “This is not just a murder case; it is a test of the Nigerian state’s ability to protect justice and those who uphold it.”
This is not the first time legal practitioners have been targeted in the course of their duties in Nigeria. In 2022, a prominent lawyer in Rivers State was abducted and later found dead after representing an unpopular defendant. In 2018, a magistrate in Zamfara was assassinated on his way to court. Legal analysts argue that unless law enforcement agencies are empowered and held accountable, the trend of extrajudicial retaliation will only worsen.
Anambra State has been grappling with a surge in insecurity over the past three years, ranging from targeted assassinations to violent armed robberies, cult clashes, and politically motivated killings. The insecurity has spread across urban and rural communities, overwhelming local security architectures and sparking calls for the establishment of a state police force.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, since assuming office, has launched multiple security initiatives, including the activation of local vigilante groups and coordination with federal security forces. However, critics argue that these measures have done little to stem the tide of violence, particularly in remote areas like Nanka.
In a press briefing last month, Governor Soludo emphasized that security remains his administration’s top priority. “We will continue to invest in technology, manpower, and intelligence gathering to ensure the safety of every Anambra citizen,” he said.
In the wake of the killings, numerous petitions have been sent to the Anambra State House of Assembly and the National Human Rights Commission, demanding urgent inquiries and legislative intervention.
The Nigerian Bar Association has also announced plans to hold a candlelight procession and a special court session in honor of the slain lawyer, whose identity will be formally disclosed after consultation with the family.
Legal experts say the murder case now represents not only a crime against two individuals but a symbolic affront to the judiciary and legal profession in Nigeria.
As police investigations continue, the focus remains on identifying and apprehending the perpetrators. Civil society groups are also calling for the deployment of body cameras for police officers, CCTV installations around court premises, and an overhaul of the country’s witness protection program.
“This attack must mark a turning point,” said a joint statement from over 15 human rights organizations. “Let it be the last time a legal professional is gunned down in cold blood for simply doing his job.”
Until arrests are made and justice is served, fear and apprehension will continue to linger over legal professionals, defendants, and the larger Anambra community, which now bears the weight of yet another senseless loss.
The murder of a lawyer and his client shortly after a bail hearing in Anambra State stands as a grim reminder of the precarious state of law and order in parts of Nigeria. It underscores the urgent need for justice sector reform, enhanced security measures, and a renewed commitment to the protection of those who serve the legal system.
For the families of the deceased, the legal community, and the Nigerian people, only one demand echoes: justice must be done—and swiftly.
