Lawyer Alleges Assault, Threat By Armed Prison Officials In Ebonyi

An Ebonyi-based lawyer, Ekigbo Samson, has accused armed officials from the Abakaliki Correctional Service Centre of assaulting him, resulting in ear injuries. Samson claims the attack occurred in Abakaliki, leaving him with ear trauma and otitis media, as confirmed by a police medical report.

According to the report, signed by DSP Uche Okette of the Nigeria Police Medical Department, Samson sustained trauma to his right ear after being slapped by one of the officials. He was referred to the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital for further treatment following first aid.

In a petition to the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Adaku Uche-Anya, Samson’s lawyers, J. Elom and Kingsley Ogodo, recounted the incident:

On November 26, 2024, around 2:00 PM, Samson’s vehicle was hit by a tricycle near a filling station on the Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway.
While waiting for a mechanic, Samson encountered a Green Hiace bus from the Abakaliki Medium Correctional Centre that allegedly attempted to collide with him.
After questioning the driver’s actions, Samson claimed Pius Nwode, an officer, exited the bus, slapped him, and pointed a cocked gun at him, threatening, “I will waste you here, and nothing will happen.”

When contacted, Nneka Iyasei, spokesperson for the Abakaliki Medium Correctional Centre, declined to comment, stating she had not received any report on the incident.

The case has drawn attention to the alleged misconduct by correctional officers, with Samson seeking justice and protection through legal channels.