The Aguleri community in Anambra State was thrown into shock on Thursday after gunmen ambushed and shot dead a lawyer, Rolex Iloakasia, who also served as the community’s president general.
Iloakasia and his client were attacked by armed assailants on motorcycles shortly after winning their case at High Court II in Ekwulobia.
The attack occurred at Egbebelu village in Orumba North Local Government Area as the victims were leaving the court.
The timing of the attack, after Iloakasia’s court victory, has raised questions about the motives of the assailants.
The Anambra police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in an official statement, saying it involved “the murder of two individuals, one of whom has been identified as a legal practitioner who had earlier secured the bail of an accused person in a pending murder case at High Court II, Ekwulobia.“
Police preliminary investigation disclosed that the victims were “trailed and double-crossed by the assailants.”
The command said that “one of the victims survived the attack and is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital.”
The statement noted that “The escapee has been debriefed by the Police and has provided crucial information that is aiding ongoing investigations and manhunt operations.
“The bodies of the deceased have been recovered and positively identified by their respective families.”
The statement revealed that a red Toyota Camry vehicle, believed to belong to one of the deceased, was recovered from the scene.
The command plans to deploy “tactical and intelligence teams to track down the perpetrators and ensure justice is served.”
It further pledged to inform the public on developments as the investigation progresses.
