By GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE, Benin
JUDGES in the Edo State Judiciary may have stopped sitting in courts within   the State in protest against the abduction of   one of their colleagues, Justice Daniel Okungbowa   who was kidnapped by armed men on his way to sit at the Ekpoma Division of the Edo State High Court.

The boycott of sittings by the Judges is coming on the heels of the resolution by the Benin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association to boycott all courts within EdoState until Justice Daniel Okungbowa was released unhurt and unconditionally by his abductors.

Also, EdoState chapter of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSON) yesterday said that they will stage a protest march to the Governor’s office, DSS and the Commissioner of Police to register their displeasure over the kidnap of the High Court Judge.

JUSON at the end of its emergency meeting directed all its members to stay at home effective from Wednesday, 3rd September if the Judge was not released for seven days. Saturday Vanguard learnt that among the courts allegedly shunned by the NBA include; Court of Appeal, Benin Division; Federal High Court; all High Courts of Justice within Edo State; Magistrate Courts; Customary Courts; and District Customary Courts.

The NBA in a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting and signed by its chairman, Oriane Akere called on the State Government and security agencies to live up to their responsibilities and take proactive measures to stop the state from degenerating “into the hobsian state of nature where life was short, nasty and brutish.”

It was further learnt that security operatives from the State Security Services,(SSS),and the Police within Edo and Delta State are working together to ensure the safe release of Justices Okungbowa.