The senseless killings in governor Hope Uzodinma-led administration of Imo State, the South Eastern part of Nigeria has reached their height.
This followed Thursday’s murder of Mr Nnaemeka Ugboma, the chairman of Ejemekwuru Customary Court in the Oguta Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
Ironically, the judge was killed by yet-to-be-identified gunmen who operated in motorcycles while presiding over a court session.
“They came into the court, dragged him out and shot him dead, and drove off. His corpse was left there as the people in court fled.
“The whole thing is confusing because nobody knew any reason while they killed him,” an eyewitness said.
This dastardly act, 108scoop.com gathered, brought the court sitting to an abrupt end as lawyers, court staff, and litigants fled for safety.
The brutal murder of the judge, who is a native of the Nnebukwu community in Oguta LGA, caused pandemonium within the Ejemekwuru community as natives and residents fled their homes.
Confirming the incident, the chairman of the Owerri Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Ugochukwu Allinor, said that the branch would inform the public about its actions.
Meanwhile, the Imo Police Command also confirmed the killing.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Owerri on Friday.
He said that the command had commenced a manhunt for the assailants.
“We have commenced investigation to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act in order to bring them to justice,” he said.
A source who preferred the condition of anonymity said that the gunmen came into the courtroom, dragged him out and shot him in the head, and zoomed off.
“He was just about to rise for the day when the incident occurred,” the source further said.
It was also reported that some soldiers rushed down to the scene and took the victim to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, where he was reportedly confirmed dead by a doctor.
