Although the police have yet to give reason for their arrest, the lawyers are attached to the Tuduru Ede’s Chamber, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the arrest of three of its members in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, while describing it as an affront to democracy and an invitation to anarchy.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that the three legal practitioners namely - Jerry Aondo, Dr Sobere Nelson and Odum Eyiba, who were part of the legal team of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in March 18 governorship poll, Tonye Cole were in the state to file election petition before the police operatives swooped on them.
Although the police have yet to give reason for their arrest, the lawyers are attached to the Tuduru Ede’s Chamber, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
According to sources, the legal practitioners are currently held at NPF Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, Ogunabali by Market Square.
Reacting to the unruly and unprofessional attack on the legal practitioners who were carrying out their professional duty by policemen, the NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, vowed that he would ensure that all the police officers found complicit were sanctioned for any possible abuse of office.
“Situations where the instrumentality of the police is apparently being used to harass and intimidate lawyers, is a direct affront to the rule of law and a threat to our democracy.
“It is an invitation to anarchy and chaos, as people would rather resort to self-help than approach the civil and constitutional means provided for the resolution of disputes,” Maikyau decried.
The statement partly read, “I read the rather unfortunate and disturbing news of the arrest of three (3) of our colleagues, Jerry Aondo, Esq, Dr Sobere Nelson, and Odum Eyiba, Esq. in Rivers State.
“It was reported that the trio, who all practice in Mr Tuduru Ede, SAN's law firm in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, were working on a petition for the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the declaration by INEC in the just concluded gubernatorial election in the state and were arrested while preparing the petition in a Hotel where they secured rooms and lodged for the purpose of the assignment. I have spoken with Mr Tuduru Ede, SAN and he confirmed the incident.
“The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) strongly condemns such unwarranted harassment of lawyers in the lawful performance of their professional duties to their clients. Situations where the instrumentality of the police is apparently being used to harass and intimidate lawyers, is a direct affront to the rule of law and a threat to our democracy.
“It is an invitation to anarchy and chaos, as people would rather resort to self-help than approach the civil and constitutional means provided for the resolution of disputes.”
“I reached out to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Commissioner of Police: (CP) Rivers State, and I have been assured of the release of our colleagues.
“We shall also take up the matter to ensure that any person(s) including police officers who may be found complicit in the events leading to the arrest of our colleagues, is sanctioned for any possible abuse of office.”
He however promised to update Nigerians on further developments on the matter.