Prophet Others, May Die For Kidnapping Lawyer….As NBA Vows To Deal With Suspects In Court

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri Branch Barr. Stanley Imo has vowed that his branch would ensure that those behind the kidnapping of Barr. Stanley Agulanna a member of his branch are prosecuted.

Barr. Imo made this call during the recent General Meeting of the NBA Owerri Branch held at the Bar Center High Court premises Owerri, Imo State.

Announcing the names of six members of the branch granted fiat by the Attorney-General of Imo State to prosecute those suspected to be behind the kidnapping in the meeting, Barr Imo condemned the act whereby criminals would kidnap lawyers for ransom.

He however called on members of the branch to associate with the trial of the accused persons so as to ensure that those behind the alleged crime were properly brought to book.

He also enjoined lawyers to show solidarity to the kidnapped colleague by attending the trial session at High Court 2 Owerri on 8th of March 2015 and other dates in future.

On the new NBA seal and stamp for lawyers in Nigeria, Barr. Imo affirmed the Supreme Court’s recent decision that any document signed by a lawyer without the seal was incompetent. He therefore called on members of his branch to live up to their financial obligations in the association not only to get the seal but also as a way of making the branch become financially independent to live up to its social responsibilities.

It could be recalled that the Founder and General Overseer of Bethel Restoration Ministries Prophet Fabian Uzor popularly known as 'the Prophet with the Trumpet in the Wilderness' and others are currently facing trial in an Owerri High Court over the kidnapping of Barr. Agulanna whose whereabouts is said to be unknown since 2014.

The Mbaise-born young lawyer was kidnapped few months after his wedding in 2014 and since then, his whereabouts has been unknown.

Presently, the accused persons in the case are being remanded in the Federal Prisons Owerri pending trial.

Kidnapping is a capital offence in Imo State and the accused persons may be sentenced to death if found guilty of the charge.