The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Muhammadu Buhari administration to promptly probe the killing of Justice Nnaemeka Ugboma, the President of Ejemekwuru Customary Court in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.
The incident occurred on Thursday.
Ugboma was reportedly dragged out while presiding over a court session by gunmen who arrived on a motorcycle before being shot.
The attack brought the court session to an end as lawyers, court staff and litigants fled the scene.
In a statement on Saturday, SERAP said that the killers must be arrested and prosecuted.
“Criminal attacks on members of the judiciary undermine judicial independence and impair judges in carrying out their vital professional functions impartially and without fear.
Authorities must end this attack on the rule of law by immediately taking concrete and effective measures to protect judges and lawyers who may be at risk of criminal violence,” the rights group said.