NBA Makurdi Chairman, Justin Gbagir On Admission After Allegedly Being Beaten By Men Of The EFCC In Makurdi

The Chairman Nigerian Bar Association Makurdi branch, Justin
Gbagir, Esq. has narrated how the beating he received by some
officers of the EFCC, under the instructions of the Officer in
charge of Makurdi Zonal Head Office, EFCC, Isei Daniel, has landed
him on the admission bed at Benue State University Teaching
Hospital, Makurdi (BSUTH).

Justin Gbagir, in his statement sighted by
TheNigerialawyer(TNL), addressed to the members of his branch,
which include the Learned Silks, and Senior Colleagues noted that
the security officers threatened to shoot him because he went to
the office over the news he got about the arrest and detention of
the branch Treasurer, Aver Shima.

Gbagir, said: “I write this on my admission bed at Benue State
University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi (BSUTH).

“Yesterday, Tuesday 8/6/2021 at about 6:59 pm, Benue State
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Michael Gusa Esq,
called to intimate me that our colleague who is also the Branch
Treasurer was detained by the EFCC.

“On further inquiry, I found that our colleague was detained on
an allegation that she gave legal advise to the Chairman of Benue
State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) upon which the latter
signed a document which is subject of an investigation by EFCC.

“Our said colleague is a law officer with Benue State Ministry
of Justice and assigned to offer official legal services to SUBEB.
She also Chairs one of the Rent Tribunal Panels.

“I rushed to EFCC office. On my way, I made a post on our Branch
WhatsApp Page and enjoined other colleagues who could make it to
join me at the EFCC office in Makurdi.

“Immediately I alighted from the NBA official Bus, the security
at the gate of EFCC shouted at me “who are you?” and I replied
that  “I was a Nigerian”.

“As I approached them almost all of them started shouting at me
to go back pointing their guns at me that if I step forward
further, they will shoot me.

“At the time, the State Director of Public Prosecution who was
standing across the road in front of Royal Choice Inn, a hotel
directly opposite EFCC office was calling me to turn back.

“I turned back and went to where he was standing by his car with
another Director from the State Ministry of Justice.

“As a result of the shock of threat by the security at the EFCC
office to shoot me, I immediately called our pragmatic and action
President, Olumide Akpata, Esq. who also answered my call at first
instance and briefed him of the development. I even joked over it
that even if I am killed, my colleagues will brief him and he
advised I take it easy.

“While I was still talking to Mr. President on Phone, the State
Attorney General and the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General
arrived.

“One of the personals of EFCC who was wearing knickers and
personal wears approached us where we were standing across the road
and confronted me that he was informed that we were there to
protest. I told him to call the person who said so to come and say
that in our presence. I stated that I am surprised that the same
people who did not even listen to me when I came would turn around
and be accusing us of coming to protest.

“He now ordered us to leave the place or he will call for our
forceful eviction. I, therefore, told him that we were not even in
their premises since they did not allow us on their premises and
they have no legal right to force us out of where we were
standing.

“As the said personnel returned back to their premises, some
lawyers joined me and we all stood across their office waiting.

“Hitherto, I was informed by the Senior Special Assistant to the
Governor of Benue State on legal matters that he was in touch with
the Head of EFCC office and were discussing the possibility of
releasing our colleague. This of course had informed the basis of
our waiting.

“Eventually, the Head of Office arrived and drove into their
premises. As the AG and PS/SG approached the gate, the personnel at
the gate started shouting at them and ordering them to retreat.

“It took the intervention of the Senior Special Assistant to the
Governor who arrived at that moment to halt the harassment of the
AG and PS/SG.

“When the 3 of them went into the premises, the Solicitor
General came out and requested that the Head of office requested
that I go in as well. I followed him into the EFCC office
premises.

“As we entered, the Solicitor General introduced me to the EFCC
Head of office that I am the Chairman, NBA Makurdi Branch and
offered the sit he was previously sitting before he went out to
bring me.

“As I made to sit down, the EFCC Head of office said I cannot
sit down because I am “an agitator”.

“I then asked whether I was brought in as an accused? When he
did not answer me, I told the AG that with due respect, I cannot be
made to be standing talking to the EFCC Head of office, and sought
the leave of the AG to leave.

“As I made to leave, the personnel of EFCC numbering between 7
and above pounced on me and started beating me. They broke my
recommended reading eyeglasses in the process and pushed me out of
the premises.

“Outside the premises, the threw out my footwears which I was
dispossessed of in the course of the beating.

“Infuriated, the AG, SG, and SSA to the Governor also walked out
of the premises and the AG met I and other lawyers including the
DPP who were outside that we should leave.

“Because of the excruciating pains I was having as a result of
the beating, I went to Federal Medical Centre at Atiku Abubakar
Road, Wadata, Makurdi, but they told me to go to their main Centre
at Apir.

“As a result of the severe pains, I could not start going to the
FMC Apir which is at the outskirt of  Makurdi.

“I then decided to come to BSUTH where I was admitted and is
receiving treatment.

“I slept off after the hospital administered several injections
to relieve the pains. I wake in the early hours of this morning to
make this post.

“Meanwhile, I am still having serious bodily pains around my
neck,  left eye, my waist on the left and right hand,” Gbagir,
narrated.

The Chairman Nigerian Bar Association Makurdi branch, Justin
Gbagir, Esq. has narrated how the beating he received by some
officers of the EFCC, under the instructions of the Officer in
charge of Makurdi Zonal Head Office, EFCC, Isei Daniel, has landed
him on the admission bed at Benue State University Teaching
Hospital, Makurdi (BSUTH).

Justin Gbagir, in his statement sighted by
TheNigerialawyer(TNL), addressed to the members of his branch,
which include the Learned Silks, and Senior Colleagues noted that
the security officers threatened to shoot him because he went to
the office over the news he got about the arrest and detention of
the branch Treasurer, Aver Shima.

Gbagir, said: “I write this on my admission bed at Benue State
University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi (BSUTH).

“Yesterday, Tuesday 8/6/2021 at about 6:59 pm, Benue State
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Michael Gusa Esq,
called to intimate me that our colleague who is also the Branch
Treasurer was detained by the EFCC.

“On further inquiry, I found that our colleague was detained on
an allegation that she gave legal advise to the Chairman of Benue
State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) upon which the latter
signed a document which is subject of an investigation by EFCC.

“Our said colleague is a law officer with Benue State Ministry
of Justice and assigned to offer official legal services to SUBEB.
She also Chairs one of the Rent Tribunal Panels.

“I rushed to EFCC office. On my way, I made a post on our Branch
WhatsApp Page and enjoined other colleagues who could make it to
join me at the EFCC office in Makurdi.

“Immediately I alighted from the NBA official Bus, the security
at the gate of EFCC shouted at me “who are you?” and I replied
that  “I was a Nigerian”.

“As I approached them almost all of them started shouting at me
to go back pointing their guns at me that if I step forward
further, they will shoot me.

“At the time, the State Director of Public Prosecution who was
standing across the road in front of Royal Choice Inn, a hotel
directly opposite EFCC office was calling me to turn back.

“I turned back and went to where he was standing by his car with
another Director from the State Ministry of Justice.

“As a result of the shock of threat by the security at the EFCC
office to shoot me, I immediately called our pragmatic and action
President, Olumide Akpata, Esq. who also answered my call at first
instance and briefed him of the development. I even joked over it
that even if I am killed, my colleagues will brief him and he
advised I take it easy.

“While I was still talking to Mr. President on Phone, the State
Attorney General and the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General
arrived.

“One of the personals of EFCC who was wearing knickers and
personal wears approached us where we were standing across the road
and confronted me that he was informed that we were there to
protest. I told him to call the person who said so to come and say
that in our presence. I stated that I am surprised that the same
people who did not even listen to me when I came would turn around
and be accusing us of coming to protest.

“He now ordered us to leave the place or he will call for our
forceful eviction. I, therefore, told him that we were not even in
their premises since they did not allow us on their premises and
they have no legal right to force us out of where we were
standing.

“As the said personnel returned back to their premises, some
lawyers joined me and we all stood across their office waiting.

“Hitherto, I was informed by the Senior Special Assistant to the
Governor of Benue State on legal matters that he was in touch with
the Head of EFCC office and were discussing the possibility of
releasing our colleague. This of course had informed the basis of
our waiting.

“Eventually, the Head of Office arrived and drove into their
premises. As the AG and PS/SG approached the gate, the personnel at
the gate started shouting at them and ordering them to retreat.

“It took the intervention of the Senior Special Assistant to the
Governor who arrived at that moment to halt the harassment of the
AG and PS/SG.

“When the 3 of them went into the premises, the Solicitor
General came out and requested that the Head of office requested
that I go in as well. I followed him into the EFCC office
premises.

“As we entered, the Solicitor General introduced me to the EFCC
Head of office that I am the Chairman, NBA Makurdi Branch and
offered the sit he was previously sitting before he went out to
bring me.

“As I made to sit down, the EFCC Head of office said I cannot
sit down because I am “an agitator”.

“I then asked whether I was brought in as an accused? When he
did not answer me, I told the AG that with due respect, I cannot be
made to be standing talking to the EFCC Head of office, and sought
the leave of the AG to leave.

“As I made to leave, the personnel of EFCC numbering between 7
and above pounced on me and started beating me. They broke my
recommended reading eyeglasses in the process and pushed me out of
the premises.

“Outside the premises, the threw out my footwears which I was
dispossessed of in the course of the beating.

“Infuriated, the AG, SG, and SSA to the Governor also walked out
of the premises and the AG met I and other lawyers including the
DPP who were outside that we should leave.

“Because of the excruciating pains I was having as a result of
the beating, I went to Federal Medical Centre at Atiku Abubakar
Road, Wadata, Makurdi, but they told me to go to their main Centre
at Apir.

“As a result of the severe pains, I could not start going to the
FMC Apir which is at the outskirt of  Makurdi.

“I then decided to come to BSUTH where I was admitted and is
receiving treatment.

“I slept off after the hospital administered several injections
to relieve the pains. I wake in the early hours of this morning to
make this post.

“Meanwhile, I am still having serious bodily pains around my
neck,  left eye, my waist on the left and right hand,” Gbagir,
narrated.