Chairmen of the eight Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) branches in Rivers State have condemned in strong terms the query issued to the Chairman of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch, Mrs. Cordelia Eke, by the Rivers State Government through the Ministry of Justice.

The query, dated April 25 and signed by Ebiriemg Deresima, Director of Administration at the Ministry, accused Eke of “serious misconduct” for allegedly co-authoring a communique that criticized the state administration over what it described as “severe and brazen acts of lawlessness and impunity.” The communique also accused the administration of unconstitutional actions, including dismantling democratic institutions and attacking peaceful protesters.

The government, through the query, claimed that Mrs. Eke’s involvement in the communique violated the Public Service Rules and was unbecoming of a civil servant.

In a strongly worded joint press statement released on Monday, the NBA branch chairmen described the allegations as an attempt to intimidate Mrs. Eke and suppress dissenting voices within the legal community. They clarified that Eke issued the communique not as a civil servant, but in her capacity as an elected chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch of the NBA.

“It must be noted that the main objective of the Nigerian Bar Association is the promotion of the rule of law. Thus, as watchdogs of society, it is our duty to speak truth to authority on behalf of lawyers and the general public. We cannot be intimidated into shying away from this sacred responsibility,” the statement read.

They further decried the query as an effort by the state’s Sole Administrator to stifle freedom of speech and the constitutional rights of the people of Rivers State.

“We consider the issuance of this query to our brother Chairman as an unfortunate act... intended to suppress freedom of speech and the constitutional rights of the good people of Rivers State. We demand an immediate withdrawal of the query,” the statement added.

The statement was signed by:

Dr. Hilda Desmond-Ihekaire, Chairman, Ahoada Branch

Simple Dioha, Esq., Chairman, Isiokpo Branch

Abiye Abo, Esq., Chairman, Degema Branch

Dr. N. A. Duson, Chairman, Bori Branch

Dr. Celestine Nwankwo, Chairman, Okehi Branch

The NBA chairmen reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to resisting any form of harassment or persecution targeting the leadership of the NBA, legal practitioners, or members of the public in Rivers State.