Kano Lawyer Docked For Allegedly Assaulting Bank Manager

KANO, August 16, (THEWILL) - A Kano based lawyer, Mr. Okechukwu Nweze has appeared before a Kano magistrate court for inflicting bodily harm on a bank manager with Intercontinental Bank Plc, Mrs. Omolara Dilibe, while on official duty.

Officials of the bank who were amazed by the lawyers’ conduct have also reported the matter to the legal practitioners’ disciplinary committee seeking redress to avert further re-occurrence of the ugly incidence between the banker and the lawyer.

The incident which occurred at about 4 pm on the 22nd July, 2010 along Sarkin Yaki road of Kano metropolis forced the police to arrest, detain and subsequently prosecute Nweze who is said to have about 20 years standing at the bar.

When the case came up before magistrate Abba Kabara, Nweze pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault, criminal force, and causing hurt contrary to section 264, 262 and 282 of the penal code leveled against him by police prosecutor, Abubakar Bashir.

Magistrate Kabara thereby fixed 14th of October 2010 for hearing on the matter that has attracted keen interest from 23 legal practitioners that escorted Nweze to the court in solidarity.

In a letter to the legal practitioners disciplinary committee entitled; "compliant of assault, battery and causing grievous hurt against Barrister Okechukwu Nweze" dated 23rd July 2010, Intercontinental Bank Plc stated that Mrs. Dilibe was slapped severally by Nweze in a bid to settle out of court, suit number K/40/2010 pending before High court 12, Miller road, Kano.

The letter signed by the Regional Head, Special Assets, North West, Mr. Kingsley Ilawagbon recalled how Mrs. Dilibe incurred the wrath of Nweze at the out of court settlement meeting convened at the office of the plaintiff in the matter, Mr. Osita Nwankwo.

It noted inter alia: "from our record, the meeting was going on smoothly until there was exchange of words. At the meeting the said Barrister Okechukwu Nweze slapped the Bank Manager several times thus leaving her with a swollen face.

"It is our contention that the legal profession is one of the most noble professions in the world where members are expected to be respectable and be disciplined. We are of the view that this barbaric act of assaulting a woman by a member of the Nigerian bar association is an assault against womanhood and a disgrace to the legal profession, " the bank wrote.