Maxwell Opara Urges NBA To Investigate Assault By Crypto Platform CEO At Federal High Court

Maxwell Opara, a legal practitioner and human rights activist, has filed a complaint with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bwari Branch, alleging assault, attack, and gross violation of his rights by Mr. Jesam Michael Ubi and his associates at the Federal High Court Abuja premises.

Opara claims that several victims, including Mr. Donald Michael, Apost. Michael Okoh, and Engr. Fimienye Awajoma, were duped by Ubi’s crypto platform. When the victims decided to speak out about the alleged fraud, Ubi filed a Direct Criminal Complaint against them, leading to the arrest and humiliation of Mr. Prince Humble Etang and Mr. Fimenye Awajoma by the police.

Opara, who intervened on behalf of the victims, states that Ubi threatened him via WhatsApp for his involvement in the matter. On May 7, 2024, while addressing the press after a court session, Opara was allegedly assaulted by over 30 miscreants mobilized by Ubi to prevent him from sharing the true story with the media.

The legal practitioner is now seeking the assistance of the NBA in protecting his interests and investigating the matter, as he fears for his safety and that of his colleagues and family. Opara emphasizes that this incident is an affront to the judicial system and that violence should not be used to resolve issues in society.

Opara has requested the NBA to investigate the matter and ensure that the police carry out a thorough investigation into the alleged assault and threats made against him and the victims of the alleged crypto fraud. He believes that Ubi and his associates should be the principal suspects if anything happens to him, his colleagues, or his family.

The legal practitioner has provided the NBA with copies of the Direct Criminal Complaint, links reporting the failure of Ubi’s company to fulfill promises, screenshots of victims attesting to being defrauded, a video and pictures posted by Ubi showing the humiliation of Etang and Awajoma, and a copy of the WhatsApp threat and petition dated April 26, 2024.