The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Litigation Committee has expressed its unequivocal condemnation of the brutal assault on Mr. Ernest Chukwuemeka Okpaga, a legal practitioner, by police officers attached to the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF NCCC), Abuja.
In a disturbing sequence of events on December 19, 2024, Mr. Okpaga, a counsel with S. M. Oyeghe & Co., was subjected to violence and harassment while representing his client, Ms. Thomas Abiodun, who has been in police custody under severe and questionable conditions.
Assault and Violation of Rights
Mr. Okpaga accompanied Ms. Abiodun to record her statement at the Cyber Crime Centre, following a week of detention during which she was reportedly denied medical attention despite deteriorating health. She collapsed after giving her statement, prompting Mr. Okpaga to insist on immediate medical care.
Instead of prioritizing Ms. Abiodun’s welfare, the Assistant Director of Administration at the NPF NCCC ordered the assault and detention of Mr. Okpaga in an interrogation room alongside his unconscious client. When Mr. Okpaga resisted the unlawful detention, police officers physically assaulted him.
This unwarranted attack on a legal practitioner constitutes a blatant violation of his fundamental human rights and a grave affront to the legal profession.
NBA’s Response
In a statement issued by Ama Etuwewe, SAN, Chairman of the NBA National Litigation Committee, the association condemned the assault as “heinous and unwarranted” and an “indication that the force still harbours officers with no regard for decency and the rule of law.”
The NBA Litigation Committee has demanded immediate action from the police and announced its intention to:
- File an official complaint with the relevant authorities.
- Pursue legal redress to enforce Mr. Okpaga’s rights.
Next Steps
The NBA urged the police to hold the responsible officers accountable and called for an end to the systemic abuse of power by law enforcement personnel. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its members and ensuring justice for those subjected to unlawful actions.
This incident highlights the urgent need for reforms within the police force to safeguard the rights and dignity of both citizens and members of the legal profession.
Ama Etuwewe, SAN
Chairman
Isah Abubakar Aliyu
Secretary.
