By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
In reaction to the anticipated protest by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch following the maltreatment and detention of one of their members, the Divisional Police Officer of Gowon Estate Division in Lagos State has been removed by the State Commissioner of Police for allegedly detaining a lawyer seeking justice for his client.
The removal is coming on the heels of a protest by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos branch scheduled to hold tomorrow, January 11, 2024, to show their resentment/grievance on how the lawyer, Olumide Sonupe was treated by police officers and the DPO of Gowon Estate Division.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the removal in a statement on Wednesday.
According to Hundeyin, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, ordered the immediate removal of the officer from the division.
He said that the removal of the DPO followed the conclusion of investigations into the allegations made against him. He added that the removal of the DPO would remain in force pending a review of his case by other supervisory authorities.
“The CP had earlier ordered a thorough investigation into the matter upon receipt of the publication. CP Fayoade has equally directed the O.C Legal of the command to initiate steps to reach out to the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos State Branch, to enable a round table discussion. The meeting is towards preventing a recurrence of the avoidable incident and enhancing better police-lawyers relationship,” Hundeyin said.
The police spokesperson said that the command would continue to uphold the rule of law and sanction any officer found wanting.
Lagos based lawyer Olumide Sonupe was beaten and brutalized on December 30, 2023 in the course of seeking justice for his client, a carpenter detained at the station.
According to a statement, the carpenter was detained for failing to meet the specification of the carpentry work given to him. Sonupe had gone to seek his release, telling the police that the case was not criminal.
He was beaten and detained for two days before he was released. He was subsequently hospitalised after his release.
