The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has decried what it called threats to the administration of justice and independence of the judiciary through intimidation and harassment. In a letter to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, the association urged him to urgently investigate the May 11 invasion of the Rivers State High Court to identify the perpetrators, no matter how highly placed, and institute appropriate criminal proceedings against them. NBA urged the IGP to also probe the security breach at the Court of Appeal Quarters in Calabar, Cross River State capital, and take appropriate disciplinary action against the officers involved. Copies of the May 16 letter, signed by the NBA President Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), were sent to Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, Court of Appeal President Zainab Bulkachuwa, Attorney-General of the Federation Abubabar Malami (SAN), Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, and the Chief Judge of Cross River State. The association urged the IGP to issue appropriate directions to police formations on access to suspects or detainees and the need to accord due respect to lawyers who visit stations to carry out their professional duties. “These steps will send appropriate messages not only to lawyers and judicial officers, but indeed to all law-abiding citizens and reinforce confidence in the country’s law enforcement agencies and the legal system. Nigeria cannot afford to condone or tolerate such brazen affronts on our courts and the legal profession,” NBA said. Mahmoud vowed to ensure that lawyers also conducted themselves well. “I want to assure the IGP that, on our part, the NBA will continue to educate and enlighten our members on the need to maintain proper decorum and conduct whenever our members visit police stations across the country. The association expects no less from its members,” he said. Mahmoud said he was compelled by recent developments to write the IGP to express “deep concern over events that threaten the rule of law and administration of justice in the country”. NBA said on May 11, the High Court of Rivers State in Port Harcourt was invaded and some items destroyed. It said reports on the incident suggested that the invasion was masterminded by politicians and executed by political thugs acting on behalf of warring factions of a registered political party. The invasion, NBA said, is believed to be an attempt to prevent the court from carrying out its constitutional duty. Besides, Mahmoud said there had been several acts of lawyers’ harassment by officers in Onitsha, Ikeja, Abuja, among others. “I need not remind the IGP that Nigerian lawyers form an integral part of the stakeholders in the administration of justice and must retain the ability to carry out their duties to their clients and have unhindered access to persons accused of any criminal offence or in the custody of the police anywhere in the country. “An independent bar is, therefore, a sacred pillar of any democratic society,” Mahmoud said. NBA said it received a report on May 8 from its Calabar Branch concerning a quarrel involving a police officer attached to a consulate and the private security personnel attached to the official residential quarters of Court of Appeal Justices. The incident reportedly escalated into assault and unlawful arrest of the private security personnel and domestic workers in the Justices’quarters on the alleged instructions of the Divisional Police Officer of the State Housing Police Station, Calabar. “I understand a report of this incident was lodged with the Commissioner of Police for Cross River State and Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Zone 6). “The protection of our courts and judges, as well as the provision of unhindered access by lawyers to persons in need of legal representation without intimidation, threats or harassment are fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. “In addition, Nigeria is a signatory and party to several United Nations Conventions and other international instruments which impose a duty on the country to protect our courts, judicial officers, lawyers and court personnel,” NBA added.]]>

______________________________________________________________________ NBA Accredited Service Provider, "Momodu B. Law Publishing" Unveils Landmark Law Publications And Services — Order Now! The publishing firm has produced an impressive catalogue of authoritative legal texts authored by its proprietor, Basil Momodu, Esq., For inquiries, contact: 📧 momodulawpublishing@yahoo.com 📞 07051822705 ______________________________________________________________________ “Your Must-Have Legal Classic” — 225-Page Hardback Offering The Definitive Guide To Electoral Security In Nigeria And The U.S. Edited by Dr. Akin Olawale Oluwadayisi, Ph.D; ACIArb, FIPDM, Notary Public, Awi Boluwaji, and Olumide Awoyemi, LL.M, Price: ₦20,000 or $20 per copy Order Your Copy Now:📧 Email: benakollegalclassics@gmail.com,📱 WhatsApp: 07038211889, 📞 Voice Call: 07065830466 | +2347038211889 ______________________________________________________________________ “Timely And Groundbreaking” — Babalola, Nnawuchi Release Casebook On Privacy & Data Protection In NigeriaA timely new publication, Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria, co-authored by Olumide Babalola and Uchenna Nnawuchi, 📘Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria is now available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8TmFZrd ______________________________________________________________________ Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626 ______________________________________________________________________ Explore Nigeria’s Constitutional System — 17 Chapters, 924 Pages Of Insight By Prof. Hagler Sunny Okorie
“Constitutional Law and Constitutionalism in Nigeria” By Prof. Hagler Sunny Okorie
Call to Order Your Copy: 📞 0803 766 7945 | 0802 863 6615 | 0803 225 3813 ✉️ haglersoco@gmail.com 🏢 Winners Chambers, 135 Ehi Road, Aba, Abia State ___________________________________________________________________ The books are available for purchase at: Online: www.educodex.com | www.selar.com | www.amazon.com | www.mikeozekhome.com Enquiries: +234 704 044 9375 | +234 814 813 4773 | +234 816 872 3532 Email: educodexl@gmail.com ______________________________________________________________________

[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials

“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.

Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation ______________________________________________________________________ Alexander Payne Co. Law Reports

Contact & Orders 📞 0704 444 4777 | 0704 444 4999 | 0818 199 9888 🌐 www.alexandernigeria.com