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Nearly twenty
lawyers who are members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Agbor branch were at
the Magistrate Court
I in Agbor on Tuesday, July
31st, 2012 in defence of
their senior colleague, Barr. Nwadozie Okonta. Barr. Okonta, an indigene of
Abavo, was arraigned on Monday,
30th July, 2012 over a publication in a newspaper where he (Bar.
Okonta) was allegedly accused of spreading the news that His Royal Majesty Uche
Irenuma II, Obi of Abavo kingdom has been dethroned. A statement which
according to reports caused fear and tension to members of the public and Abavo
people in particular. According to the case filed before the Magistrate Court in Agbor, it was said
that Barr. Okonta by his action have committed an offence
punishable under Section 59 (1) of the Criminal Code Law Cap. (21 Vol.I Law of
Delta State 2006.
Leading other
lawyers at the Court, the immediate past chairman of NBA, Agbor branch Barr.
J.O Ojobu argued that their client, as a peace loving Nigerian and Abavo
indigene will not do anything that will bring trouble to his Community
Supporting Barr. Ojobu’s argument, the NBA chairman, Barr. Joe Egwu and Barr.
Augustine Bienose said their client should be granted bail because he is
innocent of the charges levied against him.
However, the
court granted bail to Barr. Okonta on the condition of self recognition. The
court therefore adjourned the case to August, 20, 2012 for further heavy.
Addressing
newsmen after the adjournment, Barristers Ojobu and Egwu described the bail as
a good one. They thanked members of the NBA Agbor branch for coming out enmasse
to defend one of their own and a very senior colleague even at a short notice.
They said lawyers are not above the law but that is not to say that if any of
them is docked, they will not team up for his/her defencce. They said though
the extent of the bail shows that Barr
Okonta is a respected lawyer who has over the years carved a niche for himself in the law profession.
Members of the
NBA Agbor branch present at the court
were: Sir J.O Ojobu, leading counsel, G.C. Utalor, Joe Egwu, A.O Bienose, A S.
O Onwordi, B.C Buzugbe, E U. Nkwor, A.B Okoh, C.S. Ebite, E.O Ebumah, K.O Eboh,
C. Ogbobodo, O.J Onyeacholem, Esq, I. W Agholor, U.M Ozere and Ben I. Obuh,
Esq.
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