Lawyer takes Rochas Okorocha to NHRC as NBA demands his impeachment over Eke-Ukwu market demolition

Lawyer takes Rochas Okorocha to NHRC as NBA demands his impeachment over Eke-Ukwu market demolition

- Charles Mbalisi, a lawyer based in Abuja, has taken up the recent demolition of the Eke-Ukwu market and the killing of a boy against Governor Rochas Okorocha

- Mbalisi asked the National Human Rights Commission to investigate Okorocha and some security agencies for their roles in the incident

- The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) also demands the impeachment of Okorocha over the incident

Days after violence broke out in Owerri, Imo state, following the demolition of the Eke-Ukwu market, an Abuja-based lawyer, Charles Mbalisi, has reported Governor Rochas Okorocha to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

This is as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is calling for the resignation or impeachment of Okorocha for his alleged role in the incident which led to the death of a 10-year-old boy, Somtochukwu Ibeanusi.

Premium Times reports that Okorocha and nine others were named in the petition obtained by journalists in Abuja.

READ ALSO: Why we have not been able to retrieve $15 alleged arms fund seized from Jonathan's government in South Africa - Malami

The petitioner is asking for a proper investigation of the Imo Government, the police and its commissioner in the state and the Nigerian Army over the demolition of the market and the killing of the boy.

The lawyer argued that the NHRC has the power, through section 6 (1), (2) a, b, and c of its act, to conduct investigations and inquiries into complaints of human rights abuses like it happened in Owerri.

“Section 33 (1) of the Nigerian constitution, says the boy has the constitutional right to life and that right has been deprived.

“That is why we have brought this to the human rights commission.

“The commission has every constitutional right to investigate and make inquiries in respect of the cause of the death of the boy.

“Anyone found culpable or liable will then be charged to court by the commission to ensure that justice is done,” he said in the petition arguing that the use of live bullets by the security agencies against the harmless citizens was unwarranted, brutal and unprofessional.

On his part, the NBA chairman in Imo state, Lawrence Nwaketi, described the action of the government as a flagrant disobedience of subsisting court orders on the issue.

PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 new app

He said the governor abused some provisions of the Nigerian constitution in the alleged action.

Legit.ng had earlier reported that Rochas Okorocha denied reports that at least one life was lost when a stray bullet hit a boy during the demolition of the market.

In a press statement released late on Saturday by Governor Rochas Okorocha's chief press secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, the state government denied any death.

Watch as an APC chieftain reveals why his party could lose the 2019 election in Nigeria:

Source: Legit.ng

Online view pixel