“Justice Must Be Seen to Be Done”: NBA Demands Prosecution of Operatives Who Assaulted NYSC Member in Anambra

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for the prompt prosecution of security operatives who brutalized Jennifer Elobor, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Anambra State. The association described the assault, in which Elobor was beaten and stripped naked, as “degrading, inhumane, and a violation of her fundamental human rights.”

In a statement released on Tuesday, the NBA emphasized that while security agencies are empowered to maintain law and order, these powers must not be exercised in ways that infringe upon the rights of innocent citizens. The conduct displayed in the viral video, the association said, was a “complete negation of legal safeguards and an affront to human decency.”

The NBA praised the Anambra State Government for swiftly identifying and arresting the operatives involved but stressed that accountability must extend beyond detention.

> “Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, to serve as redress for Ms. Elobor and deter similar abuses in the future,” the NBA stated.

The legal body also called for comprehensive training and continuous capacity-building for security operatives to ensure respect for human rights, professionalism, and restraint in the execution of their duties. NBA branches in Anambra State, along with the National Litigation Committee, have been directed to monitor the case closely to guarantee that justice is served.

Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, President of the NBA, and Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, General Secretary, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to defending the rule of law, protecting human dignity, and ensuring accountability for violations.

The incident, which occurred in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, has sparked widespread outrage across Nigeria, with calls for stricter oversight of vigilante and community security groups.