NBA Ibadan Branch Demands Release of Lawyer Held by EFCC While Serving Court Documents with Bailiff
The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Ibadan Branch has expressed great displeasure over the illegal and unlawful detention of one of their colleagues, Philip Tunji Ojo.
The lawyer was arrested on August 21st, 2024, while carrying out his lawful duty as a legal practitioner, accompanying a court bailiff to serve a court process on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the NBA Ibadan Branch, the EFCC Ibadan Command’s actions towards lawyers have been a persistent issue. The immediate past executive of the bar, under the chairmanship of Mrs. Folasade Aladeniyi, had previously met with the commission to address this matter. However, the meeting appears to have yielded no results, as the acts of disrespect towards lawyers continue unabated.
In light of this incident, the NBA Ibadan Branch is demanding the immediate release of their colleague, along with his personal belongings. The chairman of the branch, Ibrahim Lawal Esq., has stated that if their demands are not met, he will lead his colleagues to the EFCC office on the morning of August 22nd, 2024, challenging the commission to arrest and detain more lawyers.
Mr. Lwal has called upon all members of the NBA Ibadan Branch to join him at 10 am, fully robed, in a show of solidarity. He emphasized the principle that an injury to one is an injury to all.
