On January 13, 2025, Port Harcourt-based lawyer Kelvin Okorie, recently freed after being detained by the Nigerian Navy for over three months, visited the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja to express his heartfelt gratitude.
Accompanied by his brother, Deacon Nnamdi Eze, Mr. Okorie thanked the NBA for its relentless advocacy, which played a pivotal role in securing his release.
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The ordeal came to an end following decisive intervention by the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, who, along with members of the National Executive Council and the National Litigation Committee, engaged the Chief of Defense Staff, General C.G. Musa, on January 7, 2025.
This strategic advocacy culminated in Mr. Okorie’s release and a joyous reunion with his family.
BREAKING NEWS: Kelvin Okorie Released by Nigerian Police Following NBA Intervention
During his visit, Mr. Okorie was warmly received by Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, alongside prominent members of the NBA Executive, including Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara (General Secretary), Blessing Poromo (Treasurer), Auta Nyada (Welfare Secretary), Henry Barnabas Ehi (Assistant General Secretary), Isah Abubakar Aliyu (Secretary, National Litigation Committee), and Barbara Omosun (Chief of Staff to the NBA President).
In an emotional address, Mr. Okorie acknowledged the vital role of the NBA in his release, stating:
“My kidnapping by some men of the Nigerian Navy has indeed shown me how important the NBA is. I pledge to take my Bar activities seriously and avail myself to the NBA in any way I can help. In my 19 years as a lawyer, I have never felt this valuable and important. I am indeed proud and the happiest. Thank you, Mr. President.”He also recounted the inhumane treatment he endured during his detention, revealing that he was targeted for refusing to breach client confidentiality.
In response, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, thanked God for Mr. Okorie’s safe return, assuring him of the NBA’s continued support, particularly if he decides to seek legal redress for the violations he suffered. The President encouraged Mr. Okorie to rest and reconnect with his family, emphasizing the need to safeguard lawyers against future violations:
“We must ensure this does not happen to any other lawyer.”
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This reunion highlights the Nigerian Bar Association’s unwavering commitment to defending the rights and dignity of its members. It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of collective advocacy and the strength of an active Bar.
The NBA’s intervention in Mr. Okorie’s case reaffirms its resolve to stand by its members in times of need, cementing its position as a pillar of justice and a champion of the legal profession.
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