The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, has called on the Nigerian Police Force to ensure the safe return of its missing member, Mr. Ugwuoke Henry Onyebuchi, a legal practitioner popularly known as “Odogwu Lawyer.”

According to a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, Onyebuchi was last seen at about 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 10 December 2025. His whereabouts have remained unknown since then.

Led by its pioneer female chairman, Mrs. Uchenna Ogunedo Akingbade, the Branch disclosed that a formal complaint has been lodged at the Ilasan Police Station, while the matter has also been escalated to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police for urgent attention.

Describing the incident as extremely troubling, the Branch called on law enforcement authorities to deploy all necessary investigative resources to locate the missing lawyer and ensure his safe return, stressing that cases of missing persons require prompt and decisive action.

The statement reads:

NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, LAGOS BRANCH CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION OVER MISSING LAWYER

”The Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch (“NBA, Lagos Branch” or “the Branch), expresses grave concern over the disappearance of one of its members, MR. UGWUOKE HENRY ONYEBUCHI, a legal practitioner also known as “Odogwu Lawyer.”

“Mr. Ugwuoke Henry Onyebuchi was reportedly last seen at about 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 10th December, 2025, and his whereabouts have remained unknown since that time.

“Whilst the matter only recently came to the attention of the Branch, we understand that a formal complaint has been lodged at the Ilasan Police Station, and that preliminary investigations are ongoing. The Branch has also formally escalated the matter to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.

“In light of the current security realities in the country, the Branch considers this development extremely troubling. The disappearance of a legal practitioner raises serious concerns, not only for his personal safety, but also for the broader issue of security and the protection of members of the legal profession and citizens of Nigeria.

“We hereby publicly call on the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to urgently intervene by deploying all necessary investigative resources to determine Mr. Ugwuoke Henry Onyebuchi’s whereabouts and ensure his safe recovery.

“Cases of missing persons demand swift and decisive action. With each passing day without progress, the chances of a safe outcome diminish. We therefore urge the relevant authorities to treat this matter with the urgency, seriousness, and priority it deserves.

“The NBA Lagos Branch, stands ready to cooperate fully with security agencies and will continue to monitor developments closely.”

The Lagos State Police Command has duly acknowledged the NBA Lagos Branch call-to-action letter.

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