"A Leader is a dealer in hope."— Napoleon Bonaparte
It was early this morning, 12th day of March 2025, I received a phone call from a distinguished member of the Benin Bar whom I respect so much. He didn't waste time informing me that a member of the Benin Bar and the NBA Women Forum (NBAWF) Edo State Chapter, Mrs. Lillian Eke, was detained overnight at the Tiger Base Unit, Imo State CID.
Although his voice was calm, I smelt TROUBLE.
It is on good record that Mrs. Lillian Eke is an active member of NBAWF Edo, and she had informed me on Monday that she was traveling to Imo State to help bail her eldest sister, who had been detained since Thursday last week.
I never envisaged that the Police would decide to use her to "SHINE" by keeping her behind the counter/bars throughout yesterday, threatening to charge her to court and "deal with her."
Immediately I received the call, I did not panic because it was important I remained focused so I could take necessary steps to ensure her prompt release. I made calls to two Exco members of the Benin Bar and proceeded to inform the National Chairperson of NBAWF, Huwaila Ibrahim Muhammad.
She promptly responded, and soon the NBAWF Imo State Lead, Mrs. Chinaka Sunday, whom I also called, waded in by informing the Owerri Bar Exco.
Without wasting time, Ike Augustine, Esq. (Member, General Council of the Bar), the Chairman of the Owerri Bar, Chief Chris Ihemntuge, the Vice Chairman/Chairman HRC, Dr. Ethelbert Eze, Chinaka Sunday-Ihuerue, NBAWF Imo State Lead, together with other lawyers, stormed the police station, demanding the IMMEDIATE release of Lillian Eze
Meanwhile, the National NBAWF Chairperson, visibly not happy with the way and manner a female lawyer was treated at the station, intensified efforts by reaching out to notable personalities, including the Imo State Commissioner of Police, all in a bid to ensure that our member and her relatives were released without further delay and infringement on their fundamental human rights.
Who knows how far the police would have gone in their bid to "work" for a brother-in-law who was determined to ridicule and trample on the fundamental human rights of Lillian and her relatives? As the lawyer in her family, she traveled in good faith to provide legal assistance for her eldest sister to be released on bail.
But the usual "anger" some police officers have once a lawyer appears at the station manifested yesterday... I am happy to inform us that NBAWF, through the capable and proactive leadership of Huwaila Ibrahim Muhammad , restored HOPE and secured the release of Lillian Eze.
Not only that, there is a team of bold and courageous Owerri lawyers on the ground, including the NBAWF Imo State Lead, working to secure the release of her relatives.
The NBAWF National Chairperson has also vowed not to sweep this incident under the carpet as the lawyer who prepared the frivolous petition for his client and the police officers involved will be dealt with legally.
We await the arrival of Lillian Eze back to base as we will continue to STAND TALL in ensuring the protection of our members and allowing justice to prevail.
I AM MOST GRATEFUL TO THE LEADERSHIP OF NBAWF, IMO STATE LEAD, OWERRI BAR EXCO, AND BENIN BAR EXCO.
NBAWF... Empowering Female Lawyers for Success .
Bridget Imuetinyanosa IguodalaNBA Women Forum, Edo State Lead (2024-2026)
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