Tragedy struck in Mgbidi, Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State, as Chinedu Nwowu, a lawyer based in the state, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Nwowu was driving along the Mgbidi highway around 7 p.m. when his vehicle was intercepted.
Eyewitnesses reported that a car overtook his vehicle recklessly before armed men jumped out, stopped his car, and dragged him out.
“We saw the car overtake his dangerously, and before we knew it, the boys carrying guns dragged him out and shot him several times,” a witness recounted.
“The whole thing happened in under five minutes, so there was no time to call for help.”
Efforts to save him proved futile as he was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. The Imo State Police Command spokesperson, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident and assured the public that investigations were underway to bring the culprits to justice.
The killing has caused outrage within the legal community. Courts in Mgbidi, Oguta, and Omumma will remain closed today, January 23, in protest. The Orlu Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), where the deceased was a member, has also called for an emergency meeting to address the tragic loss.
In a memo issued by Chukwuemeka Okoro, the association stated, “Following the gruesome murder of one of us, CHINEDU NWOWU, all lawyers of the Oru/Oguta Forum are hereby notified of a crucial emergency meeting this morning at 10 a.m. at the High Court, Mgbidi.”
