Headlinenews.news reports that members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos staged a protest against the unlawful arrest and detention of lawyer Olumide Sonupe by the state police.
Lawyers from approximately five NBA branches marched from its Ikeja secretariat, displaying banners, to the Lagos Police Command headquarters on Thursday.
This protest followed the removal of the Divisional Police Officer of Moshalashi Police Station, Austin Arase, who ordered Sonupe’s detention, as ordered by the state Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade.
Sonupe, a 36-year-old lawyer, was reportedly hospitalized after being detained by the police while seeking the bail of his client at the Moshalashi Police Station in the Alimosho area on December 30, 2023.
His health deteriorated upon release on January 1, 2024, after spending two nights in the cell with his client, sparking the NBA members’ protest.
Human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, called on the Nigeria Police to conduct a thorough investigation into the brutality against lawyers in Lagos. He assured that the NBA is ready to defend the rights of lawyers and has filed a report, with an ongoing investigation.
Chairman of the NBA Ikeja branch, Seyi Olawumi, stated that the protest aimed to condemn the increased harassment lawyers face from the police when serving their clients.
Sonupe, accompanied by family, friends, and colleagues, emphasized his desire for justice, urging the police to conduct thorough investigations.
Commissioner of Police Fayoade addressed the lawyers, deeming the incident unfortunate and promising preventive measures, including allowing magistrates to visit police stations. He emphasized mutual respect between lawyers and police officers, and pledged not to tolerate such situations in the future.
Despite assurances from the police leadership to change the culture of impunity, allegations of unlawful arrests and harassment persist.
