The Global Society for Anti-Corruption (GSAC) has decried the arrest and detention of a female client, Patience Ede, allegedly by a state counsel assigned to defend her matter in court.
Edeh allegedly suffered battery and psychological torture in the hands of her husband, which led to the loss of her pregnancy.
Her case in an Enugu court court had suffered a series of adjournment.
The matter at the Magistrate’s court however took another twist last Thursday, when she sighted her estranged husband, Evidence Nwachukwu, allegedly discussing with her counsel, Nkechi Egbula, and had attempted to take their picture.
The development was said to have angered the state counsel, who got the police to arrest and detain Edeh.
When Egbula was contacted, she explained: “The girl insulted me when she saw me talking with her husband. Did she know what I was discussing with him? She started taking my picture.”
Ede was reportedly released on bail after a written apology.
Decrying the development, President of GSAC, Frank Ezeona, urged the state governor, Peter Mbah, to order an investigation into the matter, which he described as a case of intimidation.
Ezeona promised that the group would stand by the woman to ensure that she got justice. He said it was unfair for a state counsel being paid by the state government to allegedly hobnob with a “suspect” who was standing trial.
He added: “GSAC calls on the Enugu State government to sanction the bad eggs in the Ministry of Justice and investigate allegations against the state counsel who detained a woman she was representing, just because the woman questioned her involvement in an unprofessional relationship with her estranged husband at the court premises.
“It is uncalled for and it’s an abuse of position. This is giving Enugu State a bad name.”
