Nearly three months after the abduction of Borno State High Court Judge, Justice Haruna Mshelia, alongside his wife, driver, and police security guard by suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), there has been little communication from key stakeholders regarding efforts to secure their release. The incident took place on Monday, June 24, 2024, as they traveled from Biu to Maiduguri along the dangerous route between the Borno and Yobe state boundary in northeastern Nigeria.
Eyewitnesses reported that armed attackers intercepted Justice Mshelia’s vehicle near Buratai town in Borno State and Buni-gari in Yobe State. The judge, his wife, driver, and police escort were forcefully taken from the vehicle and led into the bush, believed to be part of the Sambisa Forest, a known hideout for insurgents.
Since the kidnapping, there has been a notable lack of public updates from key institutions, including the Nigerian judiciary, the Borno State Government, and the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA). Our attempts to contact the Borno State Judiciary for comment went unanswered. Despite being active on social media and regularly broadcasting live court proceedings and other judicial activities, the judiciary has not issued any statements or responded to messages and phone calls regarding the abduction.
The Chairman of the Maiduguri branch of the NBA, Zannah Hamza acknowledged that little has been heard from the judiciary. He noted that the NBA branch has made efforts to engage with the various security agencies in the country, writing letters to them in a bid to secure action. He also highlighted that the NBA’s national body had only reached out to commiserate with the Maiduguri branch the day after the abduction but has not taken further public steps to push for action.
Equally concerning is the National Judicial Council’s (NJC) failure to issue any statement or provide updates on the situation. The NJC has remained silent, despite the abduction of one of their own.
Human rights activist Chidi Odinkalu took to social media to express his frustration over the lack of visible action. He posted:
“Haruna Mshelia is a Judge of the High Court of Borno State, NE #Nigeria. On or around 24 June, suspected #BokoHaram elements abducted him with his wife, orderly & driver along Biu-Maiduguri Road. They have not been seen since then & no one is asking; not @NigBarAssoc & not @njcNig.”
The prolonged silence from all quarters has raised concerns over the safety of Justice Mshelia and his companions, as well as questions about the judiciary’s commitment to protecting its members. Despite public outcry from concerned individuals, including members of the legal community, there seems to be no clear roadmap or official statement regarding efforts to secure their release.
As time passes, the fate of Justice Mshelia and his abducted companions remains uncertain, with minimal information from the very institutions tasked with upholding justice and ensuring the safety of Nigerian citizens.
