The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, has officially indicted Mrs. Augustina Chinwe Emenike, the Assistant Chief Registrar (ACR) of the Judiciary High Court, Owerri, for allegedly assaulting her colleague, Barrister Olachi Madonna Anosike.
The incident reportedly occurred two weeks ago at the Chief Magistrate’s Court Awaka in Owerri North Magisterial District, where Mrs. Emenike heads the court.
In a meeting held last Saturday at the Bar Centre, Owerri, the NBA Fact-Finding Committee, chaired by Barrister Chetachi Udeh, presented its findings.
The committee concluded that Mrs. Emenike was culpable but noted that an apology letter had been written on her behalf by the Chairman of the High Court Welfare Scheme.
“The Chairperson of the Fact-Finding Committee, Chetachi Udeh, presented the report on the assault on our colleague, Olachi Madonna Anosike, by a Court Registrar (Mrs. Augustina Chinwe Emenike). In summary, the committee found the Registrar culpable. An apology letter, though not from the Registrar but written by the Chairman of the High Court Welfare Scheme on her behalf, was read out. The Executive Committee will review the report and the apology letter and act on the community implications of both and take necessary actions,” the report stated.
Despite this, many lawyers expressed dissatisfaction with the current resolution, insisting that Mrs. Emenike must issue a personal apology. Some also called for strict disciplinary action to set an example and prevent similar occurrences.
“The indicted Assistant Chief Registrar, Mrs. Augustina Chinwe Emenike, should write the apology letter herself. It is unacceptable that the Chairman of the Judiciary Welfare is apologizing on her behalf. This undermines accountability,” a lawyer remarked.
Another legal practitioner said, “If not for arrogance, Mrs. Emenike should have personally issued an apology by now. Even when the Fact-Finding Committee visited the court, she denied touching Barrister Olachi Madonna Anosike. Such actions should not go unpunished.”
The lawyers further emphasized the need for the Judiciary to take appropriate measures.
“The Judiciary must ensure that this behavior is not repeated. Allowing this incident to slide without adequate sanctions will set a dangerous precedent,” a senior lawyer argued.
The NBA Owerri Branch has vowed to deliberate on the findings and take necessary actions to ensure justice and accountability. Members stressed that beyond an apology to the NBA and Barrister Anosike, disciplinary action is essential to uphold the integrity and professionalism of the Judiciary.
