Femi Falana, a human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has called on the Nigeria Police to conduct proper investigations into the case of brutality against lawyers in Lagos State. Falana made the call during a peaceful protest organized by members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos, against the unlawful arrest and detention of a lawyer, Olumide Sonupe, by the police in the state.
Sonupe’s health reportedly deteriorated upon his release from the police station on January 1, 2024, after spending two nights with his client in the cell. He was arrested for attempting to secure the bail of his client, a carpenter, who had been detained for an alleged breach of contract.
The state Police Public Relations Officer disclosed that the Commissioner of Police had ordered the removal of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) who ordered the lawyer’s detention. The CP also ordered an investigation into the matter.
During the protest, Falana emphasized the NBA’s readiness to defend the rights of lawyers and noted that the association had filed a report, with an ongoing investigation by the police.
The protest was organized to condemn the increased harassment that lawyers suffer at the hands of the police. The Chairman of the NBA Ikeja branch, Seyi Olawumi, expressed concern about police brutality against lawyers and stated that the protest aimed to address such incidents.
The Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, addressed the lawyers during the protest, assuring them that the incident was unfortunate and promising to avoid such issues in the future. He stated that the DPO involved had been removed and issued a departmental query, emphasizing the need for mutual respect between lawyers and police officers.
The incident highlights concerns about police brutality, illegal arrests, and detention in Nigeria, prompting calls for thorough investigations and the protection of citizens’ human rights.
