*Says justice must go beyond arrest
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, has condemned the reported killing of a legal practitioner, Mr. Peter Ihiemekpen, Esq., describing the incident as deeply troubling and a serious test of Nigeria’s commitment to accountability and the rule of law.
In a press statement on Wednesday, Akangbe said the death of the lawyer was not only a painful loss to his family and colleagues at the Bar but also a matter of grave public concern, particularly because the incident was allegedly linked to a police officer.
According to him, any allegation that a law enforcement officer may have been involved in the unlawful taking of a life must be treated with utmost seriousness, as the powers vested in the police are meant to protect citizens, not endanger them.
While acknowledging reports that the officer involved is currently in custody, the former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, stressed that arrest alone does not amount to justice. He called for a transparent and credible process that would reassure the public and allow the truth to fully emerge.
Read his full reaction below
PRESS STATEMENT BY LATEEF OMOYEMI AKANGBE, SAN ON THE REPORTED MURDER OF A LEGAL PRACTITIONER – MR. PETER IHIEMEKPEN, ESQ.:
The reported killing of Mr. Peter Ihiemekpen, Esq., a member of the Nigerian Bar, is a painful and disturbing incident. It is a loss that should concern not only his family and colleagues, but everyone who believes in the value of human life and the rule of law.
When a life is taken in circumstances alleged to involve a police officer, the issue goes beyond personal tragedy. It becomes a public matter that tests our commitment to accountability and justice. The powers given to law enforcement officers exist to protect citizens, not to harm them. Any suggestion that those powers may have been misused must be treated with seriousness and honesty.
While it has been reported that the officer involved is in custody, this is only a first step. Justice requires more than an arrest. It requires a careful, transparent, and credible investigation that allows the truth to emerge and reassures the public that the process is not compromised.
I therefore call for the immediate establishment of an independent panel of investigation to examine this incident fully and openly. Where the investigation reveals wrongdoing, prosecution must follow in accordance with the law. This case also once again highlights the urgent need for meaningful police reforms focused on professionalism, restraint, and respect for human dignity.
A society that truly values life must show it through action. Justice for Mr. Peter Ihiemekpen is not only about addressing one tragic loss, but about affirming the kind of country we want to be.
Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe, SAN, FCIArb(UK).
Former Chairman
NBA Lagos Branch
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