By Emeka Samuel
Courts in Akwa Ibom including those in the Judiciary headquarters in Uyo, were deserted yesterday as Lawyers in the state complied with the national directive of the
Nigerian Bar Association to embark on a two days strike.
The two days boycott of sitting by lawyers is in protest of the
suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnonghen.
When newsmen visited the Judiciary complex, no lawyer was seen in any of the the state High Courts while the administrative staff were seen
hanging around the premises.
Some of the lawyers who came in the morning were seen standing in groups apparently discussing the development but refused to speak to the newsmen saying only the state chairman of NBA, Barrister Eno-obong Akpan could comment on the protest by thelawyers.
However,a one-time State Chairman of the NBA, Barrister Ekanem Ekanem said lawyers in the state have completely complied with the directive.
To ensure the success of the strike Ekanem disclosed that the State NBA has set up a
team to monitor activities and movement of lawyers during the two days protest.
“AkwaIbom State chapter of NBA swiftly swung into action yesterday (Monday) and setup a monitoring team to monitor the activities of lawyers attending court sitting.
“No lawyer went to court today (Tuesday) and as I am talking to you I have three cases in court but I have not attended to any of them.
“The warning strike ends tomorrow but if the federal government does not rescind its decisionto suspend the Chief Justice Nigeria (CJN),
Chief Justice Walter Onnonghen and also rescind its decision to appoint Justice Tanko Muhammad as the Acting ChiefJustice of Nigeria, the NBA
will explore other stringent measures to ensure Federal Government complies.”Ekanem explained.
