The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, has released the much-anticipated report of its Fact-Finding Committee constituted to investigate the alleged physical assault of Anosike Madona Olachi, Esq. by Mrs. Emenike Chinwe Augustina, Assistant Registrar at the Magistrate Court, Awaka.
The three-member committee—comprising Chetachi Success Udeh, Esq. (Chairperson), Chief Kelechi Ogugbuaja, Esq. (Member), and Godwin Iyke Umah, Esq. (Secretary)—submitted its report to the Branch Executive Committee on 28th June 2025, affirming that the lawyer was “verbally and physically assaulted during the lawful performance of her professional duties.”
“The act was both unjustified and in violation of her rights as a legal practitioner and officer of the court,” the Committee stated in its report. “The incident raises serious concerns about the safety of lawyers within court premises and the growing trend of interference with legal practice in judicial settings.”
The incident, which occurred on Friday, 20th June 2025, sparked widespread condemnation from the NBA Women Forum and the NBA Owerri Branch, prompting the urgent constitution of the committee to investigate the matter.
According to the report, the incident began when Anosike Olachi, Esq. arrived at the Magistrate Court in Awaka to file a legal process but found that the Assistant Registrar was absent. After waiting for over an hour, the Registrar arrived and assessed the documents, omitting the required cost for an attached exhibit. When Olachi pointed this out, an argument ensued.
Olachi alleged that Mrs. Emenike responded rudely and physically grabbed her by the collar of her gown. She also presented the Committee with a corrected assessment document and a photograph of a gold necklace allegedly damaged during the incident. The report confirmed that this testimony “aligns with the complaint filed before the NBA Owerri Branch.”
The Committee’s findings were based on interviews with court staff, legal practitioners, and an on-site visit to the Awaka Magistrate Court.
While the Assistant Registrar admitted arriving late and acknowledged the dispute over assessment, she denied any physical contact. However, other staff and witnesses told a different story.
“Mrs. Angela Ekechukwu confirmed hearing Olachi shout, ‘So you’re physically assaulting a lawyer,’” the report noted.
Mrs. Immaculata Chukwu, another registrar, admitted that Mrs. Emenike “touched” Olachi and accused her of being rude, while Mrs. Rosita Okpara, the Principal Registrar, referred to it as a “tap on the shoulder.” Mrs. Okpara also stated that she sustained an eye injury while trying to calm the altercation.
“Ekene Osiwu, Esq. told the Committee that he entered the courtroom during the verbal abuse and heard Olachi accuse the Registrar of assault, which Mrs. Emenike did not deny at the time. Another lawyer, Harmony Alabi, Esq., and Olachi’s client, Mr. Abika Augustus Chuks, corroborated the verbal altercation and the physical contact.”
The Committee made a series of firm recommendations, including:
- A formal petition to the Chief Registrar of the Imo State Judiciary, demanding disciplinary action against Mrs. Emenike Chinwe and Mrs. Immaculata Chukwu.
- A protest letter to the Chief Judge of Imo State, calling for a broader investigation into court staff conduct.
- Referral to the Judicial Service Commission for internal disciplinary proceedings.
- Mandatory training for court staff on professional ethics and appropriate courtroom conduct.
- An official apology to Anosike Madona Olachi, Esq. from the erring officials.
- Creation of an NBA Monitoring Unit to track and report staff misconduct in courts.
- Escalation to the NBA National if no timely action is taken by the Imo State Judiciary. The report concludes with a cautionary note to all members of the legal profession: “This is a moment of reflection… Legal practitioners must maintain composure in the face of provocation, documenting events clearly and gathering verifiable evidence that can support their claims through proper channels. We must all continue to uphold decorum, civility, and professionalism, which are the hallmarks of our revered profession.”
The NBA Owerri Branch has promised to take all necessary steps to ensure justice is done and prevent similar incidents in the future. The ball is now in the court of the Imo State Judiciary to act swiftly and decisively.
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