-Petitions NBA
The controversy surrounding the General Manager of the Imo State Housing Corporation, Mr. Raymond Ucheoma, has deepened, as lawyers from across Nigeria and Imo State have announced a joint move to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to have him debarred. Ucheoma, who is a legal practitioner, is accused of gross violations of civil service regulations and professional ethics following the arrest, detention, and indefinite suspension of a widow, Mrs. Dike Nkechi Joy, and another staff member, Mr. Uche Dike.
The lawyers, under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned Legal Practitioners (CCLP), allege that Ucheoma’s actions not only contravened the rules of the Imo State Civil Service but also breached the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (RPC), which demand that lawyers uphold justice, respect the dignity of individuals, and avoid conduct unbecoming of their profession. “When a lawyer abuses his official position to unlawfully arrest and humiliate a citizen, more so a grieving widow, he undermines the very principles he swore to defend,” said Barr. Chinedu Madu, spokesperson of the coalition.
According to the coalition, Ucheoma’s conduct falls squarely under provisions of the RPC that forbid lawyers from engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice or brings the legal profession into disrepute. They argue that by ordering the arrest of subordinates for carrying out lawful instructions issued by the Honourable Commissioner for Housing before his appointment, Ucheoma acted outside the scope of his authority and in flagrant disregard for due process.
“The civil service has clear disciplinary procedures, and nowhere does it authorise arbitrary arrests by an appointee, no matter his rank,” explained Barr. Ifeoma Okeke, a human rights lawyer and member of the coalition. “What we are seeing here is a weaponisation of state power for personal vendetta. This is unacceptable in law and in morality, and the NBA must act swiftly to preserve the dignity of the profession.”
The lawyers further contend that Ucheoma’s actions violated Section 1 of the RPC, which obliges lawyers to maintain the highest standards of professional conduct, as well as Rule 30, which prohibits lawyers from taking advantage of their legal knowledge to oppress others. They also cited his alleged access to staff bank records without authorisation as another infraction that could attract both civil and criminal liabilities.
“We have prepared a detailed petition to the NBA Disciplinary Committee, attaching documentary evidence from the petition of the Imo Concerned Citizens (ICC) to the National Human Rights Commission, witness statements, and relevant portions of the civil service regulations,” said Barr. Patrick Anyanwu, another member of the coalition. “Our demand is simple: debarment. Someone who abuses legal knowledge in this manner should not be allowed to practise law in Nigeria.”
The move by the lawyers comes amid plans by thousands of widows across Imo State to stage a massive protest next week, demanding Ucheoma’s sack and the reinstatement of the suspended staff. Rights groups say the push for his debarment could add significant pressure on the state government to act swiftly.
As at the time of filing this report, Mr. Ucheoma had not responded to calls or messages seeking his comment on the debarment move. Sources within the Imo State Government say the State Executive has already stepped in to manage the escalating tension, and that the option of Ucheoma’s sack is top on the agenda. But for now, both the lawyers and the widows appear resolute in their demand for justice.
