The traditional chiefs in a Cross River community and a lawyer have disagreed over the auctioning and diversion of N21 million proceeds of a property belonging to a private company.
Speaking on behalf of Effi villages in Okun, Ikom Local Government Area, Prince Odey Oyama, accused the lawyer, Icheri Imo Okim, of failing to render account of the proceeds of auctioning of Mike Wood Plant Industry Ltd in a letter shared with newsmen.
Oyama said they will write against Okim to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) disciplinary committee for alleged professional misconduct and denial of clients’ benefit of access to specific judgment in their matter.
However, in a letter dated October 12, 2022, Okim said, “I am under no obligation to disclose or divulge a client/solicitor’s brief to any person or purported conclave. Rules of professional engagement prohibit me from such.”
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Community, lawyer bicker over N21m auction proceeds
Okmi, who said he has 30 years of practice, added that he has been the community’s solicitor in the matter, which he got judgement against the said company and auctioning was in consultation with the community and in compliance with the court order.
Former Commissioner of Police Lawrence Eko Alobi and Manager of Canaan FM, Mr Sam Nsoh, both Effi indigenes, had waded into the crisis.
