Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Femi Falana, has berated the police for inhuman treatment of lawyers and the general public.
Falana, a human rights activist, made the remark on Thursday in Lagos when hundreds of lawyers trooped out to protest against the alleged brutality of the personnel of Lagos State Police Command.
The Ikeja, Ikorodu, Badagry and Epe branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) carried out the peaceful protest.
Falana said the five branches of the NBA decided to come together to fight police brutality due to the recent maltreatment of a lawyer.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protest was in response to the alleged unlawful detention of a lawyer, Mr Olumide Sonubi, by the police at Gowon Estate Police Station, Lagos, for two days.
The lawyer was reportedly hospitalised after detention by the police on Dec. 30, 2023, over an alleged assault of a police officer during negotiations.
Falana said the NBA decided to make a case through the affected colleague to say no to brutalisation of lawyers and the citizens by the police.
He said the NBA demanded full investigation of the incident.
“I am happy the commissioner of police announced today that investigation is ongoing.
“The commissioner also indicated that lawyers should be prepared to be members of the committee since the police have nothing to hide.
“Beside the report, the NBA is also also taking certain steps to file actions to protect the human rights of our colleagues to make a point that if anything of that nature happens to any lawyer, the NBA will take it up.”
The Chairman of NBA, Ikeja Branch, Mr Seyi Olawunmi, also condemned the act of the divisional police officer of Gowon Estate and called for a thorough investigation which would involve the NBA.
Olawunmi said the protest was not about their colleague but about seeking justice.