A drama unfolded at the premises of a magistrate’s court in Enugu on Thursday when a state attorney ordered the arrest and detention of a female client she was defending.
The female client, identified as Patience Amaka Ede, reportedly endured physical abuse from her husband and psychological torment that resulted in the loss of a pregnancy last year.
Barrister Nkechi Egbuna, the state attorney assigned to her case, allegedly lost her temper on Thursday and ordered Ede’s arrest for taking her picture with her husband, Evidence Nwachukwu, during a discussion outside the courtroom.
The dispute between Patience and Evidence has been ongoing since last year, frequently adjourned due to the absence of one of the lawyers involved.
Evidence, previously held in correctional custody, later obtained bail, which upset Patience as she sought restitution for the psychological distress caused by the abuse.
The situation escalated on Thursday when Patience arrived at court with her father, Patrick Ogenyi Ede, only to be informed by her lawyer that the court would not convene.
Patience became furious, expressing confusion over the proceedings. The case had not been heard since last year, and Thursday marked the fourth adjournment.
Her anger intensified when her lawyer suggested she reconcile with her husband, whom she claimed still loved her. Patience refused and became incensed.
Her emotions boiled over when she later observed her lawyer chatting with her husband, Evidence. Convinced that her case might be compromised, she took their picture with her cell phone.
Unknown to her, her lawyer noticed her taking the picture and confronted her, subsequently calling the police and having her arrested.
Speaking from the Central Police Station (CPS), Enugu, where she was detained, Patience admitted to taking the picture as evidence to show the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) that “her lawyer is compromising the case.”
She apologised at the police station for her actions, but both the police and her counsel insisted on her detention.
In her defense, the state counsel said that she had endured numerous insults from her client, despite her efforts to secure justice.
She explained, “The girl insulted me so much today when she saw me talking with her husband. Did she know what I was discussing with him when she came and started taking my picture?”
