The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos State, has expressed its unhappiness before the state’s Commissioner of Police (CP), Abiodun Alabi, over their alleged involvement in misconduct and abuse of powers.
The lawyer’s Association made their displeasure known when it paid a visit to the Lagos Police boss, to complain about the Area “N” Commander, Ijede, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Seidu Bawa, who was alleged to have verbally assaulted, abused and harassed a Magistrate who was on a Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS) at the Command in Ijede, on July 27, 2022.
Led by the Ikorodu branch Chairman of the NBA, Idris Thany, the Association specifically alleged that Magistrate Ganiyat Anifowoshe and her team of lawyers were “physically harassed by the Area Commander by words and action during the PDSS visit to the command.”
Thany equally made known that the three lawyers, including the Secretary of the branch, Mrs Moyosola John, Mrs Omobisola Kafaru and Godspower Iyoha, who were with the Magistrate have also deposed to affidavits and in their averments, described their experience in the hands of the Area Commander as “horrible and embarrassing.
The NBA Chairman further insisted that the visit to the CP’s office is long overdue to avert another EndSARS saga in the state and to strengthen their relationship with the police authority.
Addressing the delegation at the state police command, the 2IC to the CP, Bassey Ewa, appealed to the lawyers to embrace dialogue at all times, stressing that the command is aware of the situation and has commenced administrative action against the Commander.
Ewa, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) explained that the CP is unavoidably absent to receive them, just as he added that the matter will not be swept under the carpet.
Those that formed part of the delegates who represented the Association during the visit are the Ikeja and Epe Branch members.
Interestingly, this is the second time this year that an Area Commander would harass a Magistrate and the team over a PDSS visit.
Magistrate Matepo was reportedly harassed by the “Area D” Commander, during her official Inspection of the Police Cell at Mushin in Lagos State in June this year.
The PDSS visit was made pursuant to the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Lagos State, which mandates Magistrates to visit police stations within their jurisdiction in the company of lawyers “to determine police compliance with constitutional and ACJL provisions in respect of rights of persons arrested and/or detained.”
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