Falana Criticises Police Brutality As Lagos Lawyers Protest

Mr. Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and human rights activist, has condemned the police for their inhumane treatment of lawyers and the general public.

His statement came on Thursday in Lagos during a protest led by hundreds of lawyers against the alleged brutality of the personnel of the Lagos State Police Command.

The Ikeja, Ikorodu, Badagry, and Epe branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) jointly organised the peaceful protest.

Falana said that the NBA took this collective action in response to the recent maltreatment of a lawyer, Mr. Olumide Sonubi.

The protest was triggered by Sonubi’s reported unlawful detention at the Gowon Estate Police Station, Lagos, for two days on December 30, 2023, over an alleged assault on a police officer during negotiations. Sonubi was subsequently hospitalised.

The NBA demanded a thorough investigation into the incident. Falana expressed satisfaction with the commissioner of police’s announcement that an investigation is underway and that lawyers are invited to be part of the committee, stressing the NBA’s commitment to protecting the human rights of its members.

He said, “I am happy the commissioner of police announced today that the 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.

“Besides the report, the NBA is 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.”

Chairman of NBA, Ikeja Branch, Mr. Seyi Olawunmi, condemned the actions of the divisional police officer of Gowon Estate and called for a comprehensive investigation involving the NBA. Olawunmi clarified that the protest was not solely about their colleague but about seeking justice for any ordinary citizen mistreated by the police.

He said that lawyers are not above the law and highlighted the need for civility in police stations. Olawunmi criticised the practice of asking Nigerians to drop their phones before gaining access to police stations, questioning why such measures are necessary if police stations are conducting themselves appropriately.

The Lagos branch of the NBA mobilised approximately 700 lawyers across the state for the protest march from the NBA Ikeja Branch secretariat to the headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command. Other NBA Chairmen present at the protest included Mr. Olabisi Makanjuola, Lagos NBA Chairman, Mr. Emeka Ralph, Badagry NBA Chairman, and Mr. Wale Adegoke, NBA Ota Branch. (NAN)