Gunmen Kill Anambra Lawyer, Client While Returning from Court

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Gunmen suspected to be assassins Thursday killed an Anambra based lawyer, Barr Ifeanyi Iloakasi, and his client while returning from court.

Iloakasi who is also a community leader and President General of Aguleri community in Anambra East Local Government Area was said to have been ambushed at the Nanka/Agulu boundary in Orumba North Local Government Area, where he was shot dead, including his client.

The attack many believe may be a targeted assassination. His client who jumped down from the red Toyota Camry driven by the lawyer and took to his heels was chased after and also shot dead.

Meanwhile, police in Anambra State has confirmed the attack, but stated that another victim survived the incident and had been debriefed. The state police commissioner, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has visited the scene of the event.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga in a press release said: “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, on Thursday, at about 11:30am, led a team of senior officers to the crime scene at Egbebelu village, Nanka, Orumba North Local Government Area, where two persons were gruesomely murdered by yet-to-be-identified armed men operating on a motorcycle.

“Preliminary investigations suggest that the victims were attacked while returning from the court session, having been trailed and double-crossed by the assailants.

“One of the victims survived the attack and is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital. The escapee has been debriefed by the police and has provided crucial information that is aiding ongoing investigations and manhunt operations.”

THISDAY gathered that the lawyer while working for his client had secured the release of an accused person in a pending murder case at High Court II, Ekwulobia.

Ikenga said: “The bodies of the deceased have been recovered and positively identified by their respective families. In the course of the preliminary investigations, a red Toyota Camry vehicle, believed to belong to one of the deceased, was recovered from the scene.

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered an intensive investigation into the incident and deployed tactical and intelligence teams to track down the perpetrators and ensure justice is served.”