The Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN), the national body representing law officers in Ministries of Justice across the federation, has issued a strongly worded condemnation of the recent actions of the Nigerian Police Force, describing them as unlawful, unconstitutional, and a direct assault on the integrity of the legal profession.
In a press release issued by its National President, Comrade Ernest U. Edomwonyi, and Secretary-General, Comrade Adesoji A. A., LOAN decried the illegal invitation, arrest, and detention of three senior law officers in Anambra State — Mrs. Nneka Umeozulu (Director of Public Prosecution), Mr. Fabian Okeke (Assistant Chief State Counsel), and Mrs. Chinelo Akorah (Senior State Counsel) — by the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit, Abuja.
The association asserted that the arrest, which took place on Monday, 4th August 2025, was carried out under the guise of investigating the officers’ legal advice and amounted to “a shameful attack on the independence and integrity of the legal profession and a reckless abuse of state power.”
LOAN made the following emphatic declarations:
- The constitutional powers of State Attorneys General, as enshrined in Section 211 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), are sacrosanct and must not be subjected to unlawful interference by any security agency.
- The detention of the officers in their capacity as legal advisors is a breach of legal privilege, professional independence, and due process, amounting to a criminal abuse of office and a gross violation of fundamental rights.
- The Nigerian Police Force, via the IGP Monitoring Unit, overstepped its statutory mandate and assumed supervisory powers it does not possess over law officers performing official duties.
As a result, LOAN is demanding:
- An immediate and unreserved public apology from the Nigerian Police Force to the affected officers, the Attorney General of Anambra State, and the broader legal community.
- The immediate disciplinary and criminal prosecution of the officers and commanders involved.
- A public assurance from the Inspector General of Police that there will be no further unlawful interference or harassment of law officers nationwide.
- Urgent legislative and institutional reforms to dismantle unconstitutional or rogue units within the police force that attempt to intimidate legal officers or obstruct the judicial process.
The statement also expressed full solidarity with the Anambra State Ministry of Justice. It applauded the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Professor Chidi Odinkalu, and other stakeholders who have publicly defended constitutional governance and the rule of law.
LOAN warned that it will utilize “every legal, judicial, institutional, and advocacy mechanism available under the Constitution” to resist and sanction any further assaults on law officers, vowing not to cede ground to executive impunity or lawlessness.
In conclusion, the association called on the Presidency, the National Assembly, the Judiciary, and the Nigeria Police Council to urgently intervene to safeguard the sanctity of the rule of law.
“The era of impunity must end. The legal profession will not be intimidated,” the statement read.
Find attached:
LOAN Condemns Unlawful Arrest of Anambra State Law Officers, Demands Accountability from Police
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