NIGERIA Bar Association (NBA) President Yakubu Maikyau, (SAN), yesterday appealed for the release of Okey Wali, (SAN), who was kidnapped on Monday along East-West Road, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.
This is the second time that Wali, a former NBA President, will be kidnapped. The first was on October 11, 2014 and he regained freedom October 24, after 13 days in the den of his kidnappers.
Maikyau urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, to “leave no stone unturned as they work towards the safe release of our dear learned friend.”
The Nation reported Monday that the gunmen waylaid and abducted a senior lawyer after killing two of his aides.
The kidnappers were said to have also shot three of the policemen attached to his convoy.
Thegunmen, dressed in military camouflage, carried out the act at about 3pm.
The NBA President reacted to the incident in a statement issued by the association’s National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Habeeb-Lawal.
Maikyau said: “It has come to my attention that one of our respected elders and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Okey Wali, SAN, was reportedly abducted in the early hours of yesterday, 17 April 2023, after his convoy was attacked along East-West Road, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“Mr Okey Wali, SAN, was the 26th President of the NBA and has served this nation in varying capacities, contributing immensely to the growth of legal practice and in the promotion and entrenchment of the rule of law.
“He is a known philanthropist who has helped in the development of his community in no small measure.
“I, therefore, hereby plead with the abductors not to harm Mr Wali, SAN, and make a passionate appeal for his release to his family.”
He said the NBA stood with and assured his family of its full support “in this trying period, even as we join in praying for his safe return home.”
Maikyau added: “This ugly incident is yet another sad reminder of the weakness in our security system and the failure of successive governments to live up to the constitutional duty of providing for the welfare and security of all Nigerians.
“We urge the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, to leave no stone unturned as they work towards the safe release of our dear learned friend.”