Lawyer’s assault: Anambra NBA demands probe

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The Awka Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association has condemned the alleged assault on a lawyer, Charles Ifeanyi, by operatives of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra Brigade, otherwise known as “OCHA Brigade”, calling on the Anambra State Government and relevant agencies to probe the incident.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Wednesday that the lawyer was allegedly assaulted by the men of the OCHA Brigade on Monday.

The OCHA Brigade is a state-run enforcement agency in Anambra tasked with ensuring environmental sustainability, enforcing government policies on cleanliness, order, and discipline, and improving the overall health of the state.

Its activities include clearing illegal structures, enforcing proper waste disposal, ensuring roads remain free from obstructions such as roadside trading, and confiscating goods from illegal businesses. In a letter dated January 21, the Publicity Secretary of the NBA, Awka Branch, Michael Ozojiofor, stated that the assault occurred on Monday at the popular Eke-Awka Market in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

Ozojiofor said the lawyer was assaulted and brutalised by operatives of the OCHA Brigade, including “Agunaechemba”, under a false allegation that he was interfering with their enforcement exercise.

He attached videos of the incident to the letter, showing the lawyer being dragged into the OCHA Brigade’s vehicle while traders and passers-by recorded the scenario. Punch