The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) visited the family of former president Okey Wali, who was abducted in Rivers State a week ago.
On Monday, SAN Wali was abducted along East-West Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Mr. Wali has been kidnapped for seven days.
Last Monday, NBA president Yakubu Maikyau led a delegation to the grieving family’s house in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to announce Mr. Wali’s kidnapping.
NBA president Yakubu Maikyau (jacket) brings attorneys to Okey Wali’s home in Port Harcourt.
He begged Mr. Wali’s kidnappers to free him.
Visit grieving families.
On Monday, Mr. Maikyau, NBA Rivers State chapter chairpersons, and other officials visited Mr. Wali’s heartbroken family.
NBA spokesperson Lawal Akorede said Monday that Mr. Maikyau, SAN, and his delegation of chairmen, secretaries, and other senior members of the bar from NBA branches in Rivers State were received by Mr. Kingsley Wenenda Wali and Mrs. Wali, the kidnapped former president’s younger brother and wife.
Mr. Akorede said the family appreciated the NBA group’s visit.
NBA president Yakubu Maikyau (jacket) brings attorneys to Okey Wali’s home in Port Harcourt.
Mr. Maikyau prayed “for God’s intervention on the challenges the family is going through” over “the sad incident.”
The NBA President believed Mr. Wali would be freed unharmed.
Rivers police chief visits, others
The group also visited the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, where Mr. Maikyau had a private meeting.
It didn’t describe the meeting or the victim’s release attempts.
Mary Peter-Odili, Chairperson of the Body of Benchers, was also visited by the NBA team.
According to the statement, Mr. Maikyau spoke with retired Supreme Court Judge Ms. Peter-Odili on “the advancement of the rule of law and the judicial sector.”
murder, kidnapping
Mr. Wali and several of his aides were shot on the East-West Road in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on April 17.
One of Mr. Wali’s aides was killed, and two police officers in the convoy were seriously injured.
Mr. Maikyau urged the Inspector-General of Police and Rivers State’s police commissioner to “leave no stone unturned as they strive towards the safe release of our beloved erudite friend.”
At Port Harcourt, NBA president Yakubu Maikyau (in a jacket) accompanies a group of lawyers to Okey Wali’s family.
The NBA president said that Mr. Wali, who was the 26th NBA president from 2012 to 2014, “has served our nation in diverse capacities, contributing tremendously to the expansion of the legal profession and to the promotion and entrenchment of the rule of law.”
“A recognised philanthropist who has aided in the development of his town in no little measure,” Mr. Maikyau called for Mr. Wali’s release.
“I thus implore the abductors not to injure Mr. Wali, SAN, and passionately request his return to his family.
“The NBA stands with and guarantees his family our entire support in this tough moment, even as we join in praying for his safe return home,” Mr. Maikyau said last week.
This is Mr. Wali’s second kidnapping. He was abducted for a few days in October 2014 by unknown gunmen.
