It is with heavy hearts that the members, staff, and management of Lawyers Alert formally announce the passing of our one-time President, Barrister Moses Udam, who served as President between 2010 to 2012. Moses Udam was murdered on the night of Tuesday, December 15, 2020, in his home in Makurdi, Benue State, alongside his wife by assailants, yet to be tracked and arrested.
The unfortunate incident has come to Lawyers Alert as a total shock given Moses was a good-natured person with a peaceful disposition and total commitment to the plight of the underprivileged, especially prisoners. He facilitated the release of hundreds of detainees at detention centers and was a human rights activist of repute, especially in Benue and North Central Nigeria. During his time at Lawyers Alert, Moses was noted for selfless service, always looking out for the weak, humane disposition and hard work amidst a deep conviction that free legal services are key to access to justice. He served as the North Central Coordinator of the Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, over two terms.
Upon leaving Lawyers Alert he made an unsuccessful bid to win elections to serve as Chairman of the Makurdi Local Government. He was running a very successful law practice, with a leaning to free legal services for the downtrodden before his murder alongside his wife.
Lawyers Alert mourns Moses and regrets the poor state of security where Nigerians lose lives to assailants and men of the underworld at a rate that is presently worrisome. The ability to get away with these crimes, as in the present case, is a strong motivation for men of the underworld.
We call on the government to enhance internal security across the country as this is key in the respect to life and property, the primary function of government. We equally call for the apprehension and trial of the killers of Moses Udam and his wife.
Lawyers Alert will be organizing a colloquium “Security, Access to justice and Right to Life” on the 4th of February 2021 at Benue Hotels, Makurdi in honor of Moses Udam.
Management, Lawyers Alert.