By Abdallah el-Kurebe
ASHENEWS reports that the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the arrest of three lawyers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and described the act as affront to the rule of law, and threat to democracy.
This online platform further reports that the lawyers were reportedly arrested in a hotel by the Police on alleged orders of the state governor, Nyesom Wike.
They were preparing a petition against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), against the declaration of the governorship election result in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The President of the Association, a Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau in a statement on Saturday, condemned the arrest, and described it as “unwarranted harassment of lawyers in the lawful performance of their professional duties to their clients.”
According to him, “Situations where the instrumentality of the police is apparently being used to harass and intimidate lawyers, is a direct affront to the rule of law and a threat to our democracy.
“It is an invitation to anarchy and chaos, as people would rather resort to self-help than approach the civil and constitutional means provided for the resolution of disputes.”
Read the statement below:
It is rather unfortunate and disturbing news of the arrest of three (3) of our colleagues, Jerry Aondo, Esq, Dr. Sobere Nelson, and Odum Eyiba, Esq, in Rivers state.
It was reported that the trio, who all practice in Mr. Tuduru Ede, SAN’s law firm in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, were working on a petition for the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INECl in the just concluded gubernatorial election in the state and were arrested while preparing the petition in a Hotel where they secured rooms and lodged for the purpose of the assignment. I have spoken with Mr. Tuduru Ede, SAN and he confirmed the incident.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) strongly condemns such unwarranted harassment of lawyers in the lawful performance of their professional duties to their clients.
Situations where the instrumentality of the police is apparently being used to harass and intimidate lawyers, is a direct affront to the rule of law and a threat to our democracy.
It is an invitation to anarchy and chaos, as people would rather resort to self-help than approach the civil and constitutional means provided for the resolution of disputes.
I reached out to the Inspector General of Police (|GP) and the Commissioner of Police (CP) Rivers State, and I have been assured of the release of our colleagues.
We shall also take up the matter to ensure that any person(s) including police officers, who may be found complicit in the events leading to the arrest of our colleagues, is sanctioned for any possible abuse of office.
I will continue to talk with Mr. Tuduru SAN and shall keep you posted on further developments in this matter.
