Blackmail, Character Defamation: 2 Lawyers to Appear Before NBA Disciplinary Committee

FROM OUR RURAL NEWSDESK (AWKA)

Two lawyers have been dragged to Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) disciplinary committee over blackmail and defamation allegations in a Suit No: HN/66/2022.

The suit was initiated by Barr Nobert Onyejiaka on behalf of Igwe Dr Ofobuike Alphonsus, the traditional ruler of Amichi in Nnewi South Local Goverment Area of Anambra State against Mr Onwa Nwafor-Orizu and other eight persons.

This fact was contained in a statement dated 21st April, 2022 signed by Hon Ikenna Obidiegwu of Nnabuenyi Chambers Nnewi made available to journalists.

The statement read thus: “The attention of our client PRINCE ORJI NWAFOR-ORIZU has been drawn to the above referred Suit dated 5/4/2022, filed at the High Court of Justice Nnewi expressed to have been filed by our client Prince Orji Nwafor Orizu.

“We have the clear instructions of Prince Orji Nwafor-Orizu, our client to state as follows, that:At no time and space did Igwe Ezeoke (the Plaintiff) or his representatives approach or discuss with our client to file any suit against the Defendants in this suit or any person involving the subject matter.

“The signature in the suit was not authorized by our client.Our client investigated and discovered that the suit was actually filed by Nobert Onyejiaka, Esq. a Counsel in our client’s chambers without notice, information or consent of our client.

“Our client confronted the Counsel who filed the case to find out the reason for the unprofessional and wicked act aimed at causing confusion in the Defendants’ camp, and maliciously attacking the reputation of our client.

“Our client finds the action of using his name to file the case VERY VERY SERIOUS and he is therefore approaching the Disciplinary Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association to remove the Wig and Gown of both Igwe Ezeoke (Plaintiff) and Nobert Onyejiaka for obvious reasons of collusion to defame the hard-earned reputation of Prince Orji Nwafor-Orizu as a Legal Practitioner.

“Igwe Ofobuike Ezeoke is aware of Prince Orji Nwafor-Orizu’s position as presented to the Joint Panel disagreeing with Igwe Ezeoke’s position and yet prepared a case involving our client’s father’s compound and involving his two (2) brothers and other Nnewi relations and corporate existence of Nnewi without his consent.

“The filing of this case by Nobert Onyejiaka without consent of our client is not accidental. It is a blackmail between Noberth Onyejiaka and his Amichi cohorts to break the solidarity of Nnewi people in respect of Nnewi Land being claimed by an unpopular Amichi Round table.

“Our client is highly embarrassed by the action of the said Nobert Onyejaka Esq and shall in addition to this disclaimer take further measures against him for such act of indiscretion. Our client therefore in the circumstance regrets any embarrassment the said action may have caused some persons or group of persons.”