NBA in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of its National Litigation Committee, Ama Etuwewe, SAN and Isah Abubakar Aliyu respectively demand accountability from the police personnel involved.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the brutal assault on lawyer Ernest Chukwuemeka Okpaga by police officers at the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre in Abuja.
NBA in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of its National Litigation Committee, Ama Etuwewe, SAN and Isah Abubakar Aliyu respectively demand accountability from the police personnel involved.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on December 19, 2024, while Okpaga was representing his client, Abiodun Olamide Thomas, who had been detained for a week without medical attention despite her deteriorating health.
SaharaReporters reported on Thursday that the detained female human rights activist, Olamide Thomas, collapsed at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja due to health complications.
Abiodun, who suffers from asthma and peptic ulcer, had been bleeding since Monday, SaharaReporters had reported.
SaharaReporters reported that the female human rights activist, was arrested last Friday in her Lagos home for criticising the excesses of Nigeria Police Force officers, and subsequently moved to Abuja on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
Unfortunately, due to deteriorating health condition, Abiodun, a professional nurse collapsed after giving her statement, prompting Okpaga, her counsel to demand immediate medical care.
Instead, the police ordered Okpaga's assault and detention in an interrogation room alongside his unconscious client. When Okpaga resisted, police officers physically assaulted him.
Condemning the excesses and impunity in the Nigerian Police Force, the NBA described the attack on Okpaga as "heinous and unwarranted", noting that it is a clear indication that some police officers have no regard for decency and the rule of law.
"This incident is a blatant violation of Okpaga's fundamental human rights and a grave affront to the legal profession," the body of Nigerian lawyers stated.
The NBA Litigation Committee, however, demanded immediate action from the police authorities.
It vowed to file an official complaint with the relevant authorities against the officials involved in the act.
It also noted that the body will pursue legal redress to enforce Mr. Okpaga's rights and urged the police to hold the responsible officers accountable.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its members and ensuring justice for those subjected to unlawful actions.
BACKGROUND
SaharaReporters reported on Monday that Olamide Thomas, a female activist arrested in Lagos last Friday for allegedly insulting the Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had been moved to the Force headquarters in Abuja.
SaharaReporters learned on Monday that Thomas endured inhumane treatment on Saturday and remained detained at Nigeria's National Cyber-Crime Centre, Abuja. Sources revealed that she had been held for days without charges or court appearance, and denied administrative bail.
SaharaReporters reported on Friday that Thomas, whose alternate identity is Horlarmidey Africano, was poised for transfer to the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Previously detained at the Lagos State Police Command, Thomas' arrest was reportedly instigated by the Police IG Kayode Egbetokun and Assistant Commissioner of Police Adejobi. Her detention stemmed from candid remarks criticizing police misconduct, of which she herself had been a victim, thereby attracting unwarranted attention from law enforcement authorities.
Confidential sources revealed to SaharaReporters that Egbetokun harbored keen interest in Abiodun's case, indicating an uncompromising stance.
Previously, on November 8, SaharaReporters reported Thomas' apprehensions regarding her safety, alleging targeted harassment by Adejobi.
Furthermore, sources disclosed to SaharaReporters on Monday that Thomas, a duly licensed nursing professional, endured inhumane treatment at the hands of Nigerian Police operatives, subjected to appalling and unimaginable conditions, eliciting profound concern.
According to one of the sources, Thomas was initially arrested on October 20, 2024, when she was beaten and slapped several times.
Additionally, Thomas suffered injuries at the Lekki Toll Gate, where a tear gas canister was fired at her leg and she was repeatedly struck with a firearm.