Legal practitioners in Bayelsa State on Monday staged a total boycott of court proceedings in protest against the abduction of Justice Ebieyerin Omukoro, a serving judge of the Bayelsa State High Court, who was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen over the weekend.
Justice Omukoro, who presides over High Court 7 in Yenagoa, was taken at gunpoint around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday while attempting to leave the premises of a well-known eatery where he had gone to buy bread.
According to eyewitness accounts, the judge, who drove himself to the location, was accosted by men in black uniforms who ordered him to step out of his car and follow them to meet their “oga” in a parked Hilux vehicle.
When he refused, the armed men reportedly fired at him but missed. They then forcefully dragged him into their vehicle and fled the scene.
In response to the incident, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa branch, declared a statewide court boycott to express their outrage and call for urgent intervention. Lawyers across the state stayed away from courtrooms in a show of solidarity.
Speaking on the development, Chairman of the Yenagoa NBA, Somina Johnbull, Esq., who earlier led a delegation of lawyers to meet with the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, condemned the abduction and called for immediate action.
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“The Nigerian Bar Association, Yenagoa Branch, condemns in the strongest terms the abduction of Hon. Justice E.G. Omukoro, a serving judge of the High Court of Bayelsa State,” Johnbull stated. “This act is not only an assault on the person of His Lordship but also a grave threat to the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.”
He further declared: “In response, there shall be a symbolic boycott of all courts within Bayelsa State from today, 23rd June, 2025. This is a solemn and significant moment for us to stand united, not just as lawyers, but as defenders of justice. An injury to one is an injury to all. Let the Bar speak with one voice. Let the nation know that the judiciary is not alone.”
Meanwhile, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has ordered security agencies to intensify efforts to ensure the judge’s safe release.
Speaking on Monday in Sagbama during a local government thank-you tour, Governor Diri revealed that CCTV footage captured the kidnappers during the act, and investigations are already underway to identify and apprehend those responsible.
“I have directed the state’s security commanders to ensure that Justice Ebieyerin Omukoro is released unhurt.”
“Let me also warn those behind such criminal acts and their sponsors: Bayelsa is not a safe haven for criminals. With the state’s investment in CCTV and other advanced security infrastructure, there’s no place to hide,” Diri said.
