The worsening state of insecurity in the country reared its ugly head in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following the abduction of the immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Okey Wali.
The unfortunate incident was disclosed by the NBA in a press statement Saturday, signed by its current president, Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN).
The umbrella body for Nigerian lawyers said it received the “shocking news” of Mr. Wali’s kidnap by unknown persons on Saturday, October 11, at about 9 p.m.
Mr. Wali, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and an indigene of Rivers State, was elected the NBA’s 26th president in 2012 and served in that capacity until July this year.
“Okey Wali SAN is a man of peace who has not only contributed immensely to the enthronement of rule of law and protection of human rights, but also to the development of our Nation”, the NBA said.
“It is therefore saddening that he should become a kidnap victim. This sad event is yet another reminder of the state of insecurity in which all Nigerians live.
“The NBA calls on the Federal Government to step up efforts to fulfil its primary constitutional role of providing for the welfare and security of all Nigerians. We passionately appeal to his abductors for his immediate and safe release to his family”.
