Ex-NBA Chairman Accuses Agunechemba Of Extortion, Urges Soludo’s Intervention
A former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Idemili Branch, Barr. Chike Nonyelum, has raised concerns over alleged extortion by the Anambra State Homeland Security outfit, Agunechemba.
Speaking at the first 2025 Bar meeting of the NBA Idemili Branch at Fountain Bar Center, Ogidi High Court, Nonyelum claimed to have personally witnessed Agunechemba operatives mounting roadblocks to extort money from motorists. He called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to address the alleged misconduct.
At the meeting, George Chiedu Igbokwe (SAN) urged Governor Soludo to appoint more judges and create additional courts to enhance justice delivery in the state.
The event also featured a sensitization session on the latest Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) regulations for legal practitioners.
The Chairman of the NBA Idemili Branch, Barr. Chidi Betsy Nnaji, who is also the newly elected Chairman of all Chairmen, NBA Anambra State, emphasized the importance of preventing legal services from being exploited for financial crimes.
She highlighted key provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (RPC), 2023, which became effective in January 2024, aligning Nigeria’s legal profession with global AML/CFT standards.
“Lawyers must conduct client due diligence, verify identities, maintain transaction records for at least five years, and report suspicious activities. Non-compliance could lead to penalties or referral to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee,” she warned.
She also reiterated the importance of professional dressing among lawyers, stating that a committee would be established to sanction legal practitioners who fail to adhere to the dress code.
Nnaji revealed that her first action as Chairman of the NBA Committee of Chairmen in Anambra State was to petition the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, and Governor Soludo, urging the immediate resumption of sittings at the Court of Appeal, Awka Division, which had been closed for 10 months due to security concerns.
She commended Governor Soludo for recent improvements in security, following the launch of Agunechemba/Operation Udo Ga-Achi.
Key activities during the meeting included:
Setting up of the 2025 Diary & Law Week Committee after dissolving the previous committee.
A quiz competition on the newly reviewed Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners (RPC), anchored by Barr. Chukwubuikem Obianyor.
A short homily on gratitude and being a light in society, delivered by Barr. Ike Obianyo.
The meeting reinforced the NBA’s commitment to transparency, legal reforms, and upholding ethical standards in the legal profession.
