A Lagos-based legal practitioner, Barrister Gbolahan Agoro, has raised an alarm over continuing threat to the life of one of his colleagues, Barrister Quadri Oladapo Olawale, a human rights activist, and his family over a politically motivated brief.
According to him, trouble started for Mr Quadri sometime in 2018, when he handled a landed case at no cost, and unknown to him some powerful politicians who are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who were aggrieved over his handling of the case have been after his life and his family.
He said this at a press briefing held at the premises of the Nigeria Bar Association Centre, NBA, Ikeja, saying the entire family of his colleague has consistently being in danger since his residence located at 3, Alaba Close, off Balogun Bus Stop, Iju Ishaga, was stormed by suspected thugs of Oodua People’s Congress, OPC and APC, loyal to the other party in the suit on 8th September 2018 around 7:15 pm.
Agoro revealed that the suspected thugs who came on the day were armed to the teeth with dangerous weapons like Ak-47 and pump action guns.
He called on concerned citizens and the human rights community to rally around to ensure that the life of his colleague and his family are safe from these killers.
According to him: “I’m a senior member of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and it is a known fact that as a legal practitioner, there are several cases which we handle pro-Bono.
“My learned colleague, Barrister Quadri Oladapo Olawale, in contributing his quota to the defence of the oppressed, has led to his life being in persistent danger from suspected OPC members and APC thugs. I’m coming out to address the press today on this issue without knowing what will happen to me tomorrow.
“The suit number ID/7048LMN/2018, which is the subject of controversy, was handled by my colleague as a legal practitioner professionally without collecting any funds from his client. He took it as a way to fight the cause of the oppressed, being a human rights lawyer.
“Little did he know that the other party who is a top member of APC will unleash terror on the family of my friend (Barrister Quadri Oladapo Olawale). Since that day, his family has remained the target of criminals masquerading under the guise of a political party and ethnic militia.
“I thereafter confirmed that those who attacked my friend and his family members were political thugs of APC and members of dreaded Oodua People’s Congress, OPC. Their mission was to kill him and his family members as a way of frustrating the legal process in court.
“On the day the incident happened, his pregnant wife, Quadri Esther Olabimpe (nee Ajibola, a mother of five was threatened and attempted rape at gunpoint before she revealed where her husband always kept his official documents in his office, located at 45, Orishe Street, Balogun Bus Stop, off Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos. They ransacked the whole place and catered away all relevant documents.
“The action of these APC thugs and OPC members have made the children: Quadri Emmanuel Damola, Quadri Dolapo Rebecca, Quadri Oluwadarasimi Daniel, Quadri Omodesola Deborah and Quadro Desire Rachel to be living in extreme fear.
“The trauma his wife and children went through is still fresh in their minds. The powerful people behind this crisis have been doing everything to ensure that the story did not see the light of the day. The gunshots were sporadic on that as his security guard, one Ifeanyi Chukwuemeka sustained gun wounds, but his security dog could not make it alive.”
Agoro further posited that on November 17, 2018, when the family thought that the incident had died down, the same APC thugs and OPC members accosted his wife at his residence, and threatened her that they will kill her entire family if her husband did not withdraw from the case.
He said the case was reported at the police station and the police informed them that they are investigating the alleged crime.
“The truth of the matter is that the suspected thugs are still on the loose, and they can strike my learned colleague and his family anytime because justice has not been done.
“The case was reported at the police station, and they assured us that they are on top of the situation. They further told us that all the culprits would be arrested and face the law. But they have not matched their words with action.
“It is on sworn oath that my learned friend’s wife averred that he was not only shot but lost all his personal belongings including electronic appliances. His wife also lost all her life savings in the crisis,” Agoro affirmed.
But the Rulers’ World called one of the indicted APC members, Mr Bello Babatoke, and he denied his involvement in the ordeal of Barrister Quadri, saying since the matter spoke by Mr Agoro is before the court he will not comment on it.
“It is true that I’m involved in the suit mentioned by Quadri’s friend. The matter is before the court, and I will not speak on it. On sending thugs to him, I didn’t send thugs to him and I believe in the rule of law and I have confidence that the court will decide the case on merit,” he said.
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