Lawyers condemn abduction of Ozekhome

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(Nigeria) Some prominent lawyers in Lagos on Sunday condemned the abduction of a human rights lawyer, Mr Mike Ozekhome, SAN, describing the spate of kidnappings across the country as worrisome. The lawyers, who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria, expressed grave concern about security situation in the country and urged security agencies to intensify their efforts toward apprehending the kidnappers.
Ozekhome was reportedly abducted on Aug. 23 at Ehor near Benin City in Edo by some unknown persons.
Mr Onyekachi Ubani, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Ikeja Branch, said the spate of kidnappings in Nigeria was worrisome.
``It is very appalling; both low and high profile individuals are being kidnapped across the country. It shows that there is a problem,'' he told NAN.
Also speaking, a human rights activist, Mr Adetokunbo Mumuni, said Ozekhome's abduction was a reflection of the security situation in the country.
Mumuni, who is the Executive Director, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, a human rights group, attributed the wave of kidnappings by some unscrupulous elements to poverty and unemployment.
He said: ``Until socio-economic injustices are tackled, we may continue to have these security challenges.
``Kidnapping is now rampant because of the limited opportunities available to Nigerians due to poverty and unemployment.''
On his part, another human rights activist, Mr Fred Agbaje, said it was regrettable that Edo had become a hotbed of high profile kidnappings.
Agbaje urged government at all levels to ensure that citizens had access to adequate welfare packages in line with the social contract theory in governance.
Under the social contract theory, it is imperative that lives and properties should be protected, he said.

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