The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in Lagos State, have paid a visit to the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Abiodun Alabi, over misconduct and abuse of powers exhibited by some of his Area Commanders.
The visit was led by the Ikorodu Branch, with a mission to register their displeasure against the disobedience to rule of law, by the Area “N” Commander, Ijede, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Seidu Bawa, who verbally assaulted, abused and harassed Magistrate who was on a Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS) at the Command in Ijede, on July 27, 2022.,
According to the Ikorodu Branch Leader, Mr Idris Thany 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.
The PDSS visit was made under 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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He noted that the three lawyers, including Secretary of the branch, Mrs Moyosola John, Mrs Omobisola Kafaru and Godspower Iyoha, who were with Magistrate have also deposed to affidavits and in their averments, described their experience in the hands of the Area Commander as “horrible and embarrassing” and his alleged warning “not to come to the command to release anybody.”
Mr Thany said that the visit to the CP office is long overdue to avert another EndSARS saga in the state and to strengthen their relationship with the police authority.
Receiving the delegates at the state command, the 2IC to the CP, DCP Bassey Ewa pleaded with the lawyers to embrace dialogue at all time, stressing that the command is aware of the situation and have commenced administrative action against the Commander.
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DCP Ewa who said that the CP is unavoidable absent to receive them said that this administration would not sweep the matter under the carpets.
The Ikeja and Epe Branch members are part of the delegates who represented the association at the visit.
It would be recalled that this is the second time this year that an Area Commandant would harass a Magistrate and the team over a PDSS visit.
Magistrate Matepo was reportedly harrased by the “Area D” Commandant, during her official Inspection of the Police Cell at Mushin in Lagos State on June this year.
