Following the kidnapping of a Benin High Court Judge, Justice Daniel Okugbowa, the Benin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association has resolved to boycott every court proceedings to show their displeasure over the incessant kidnapping of their members.

Unknown gunmen abducted Justice Okungbowa on his way to preside over a case at the Ekpoma Division of the Edo State High Court.

This boycott followed initial move by the Judges in the state to boycott sittings.

In a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting and signed by its chairman, Oriane Akere, the state government and security agencies were called upon to live up to expectation and take proactive measures in bringing an end to the situation which is gradually developing to the Hobbesian state of nature where life was nasty, brutish and short.

Courts to be boycotted by the NBA include the Court of Appeal, Benin Division, Federal High Court, all the High Courts within the state, Magistrate Courts, Customary Courts and District Customary Courts. They claimed that the boycott would lapse until the kidnapped judge is released.