The legal community in Nigeria has been thrown into mourning and outrage following the gruesome assassination of a legal practitioner, Barrister Rolex Ifeanyi Iloakasia, and his client, in what is widely believed to be a targeted killing.
The double murder occurred on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the Nanka-Agulu boundary in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to eyewitness accounts and reports cited by Tori.ng, the victims were returning from a court engagement when they were ambushed by gunmen riding a motorcycle. The attackers reportedly opened fire with deadly accuracy, killing both Iloakasia and his client on the spot. A third passenger sustained injuries and is currently hospitalized.
The late Iloakasia, who also served as the President-General of the Aguleri community, is being remembered as a fearless legal mind and a staunch advocate for justice.
In a powerful statement released on Friday, human rights lawyer Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Esq. (KSC), condemned the murder as a “cold-blooded assassination” and a “direct assault on the justice system.” Ejiofor described the incident not as a random act of violence but a “targeted execution” designed to intimidate members of the legal profession.
“This is not just a threat to the legal profession – it is a grave danger to the very fabric of our democracy,” he warned.
Ejiofor called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), both at state and national levels, to take immediate and decisive action. Among his demands are:
1. A full-scale, transparent investigation into the murder
2. A declared mourning period with lawyers donning black armbands
³. Suspension of non-essential court appearances in protest
4. Emergency meetings with state officials and security agencies to ensure the safety of legal practitioners
5. Reexamination of past unresolved attacks on lawyers in Anambra State
6. The threat of a statewide boycott of court proceedings if no credible action is taken within a set timeframe
“Let it be known: We will not be intimidated into silence. Legal practitioners must never be forced to operate under the shadow of death,” Ejiofor stated emphatically.
The incident adds to a growing list of violent attacks targeting legal professionals in Anambra and other parts of southeastern Nigeria, further fueling concerns about lawlessness and the erosion of the rule of law in the region.
Condolences have poured in for the Iloakasia family and the Aguleri community. Many are calling for the government to act swiftly to prevent a further breakdown of justice and order.
“This is not just an attack on individuals – it is an attack on due process, and on the values that hold our society together,” Ejiofor concluded.
