The Citizens’ Engagement Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the reported denial of access to the Federal High Court, Abuja, by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), also known as the DSS.
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In a statement issued by the Chairman of the Committee, Kunle Edun, SAN, the NBA expressed deep concern over a complaint received from Abuja-based lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Tosin Ojaomo, who alleged that DSS operatives stationed at the court gate screened and barred lawyers, including himself, from entering the premises, even when they had matters listed on the court’s cause lists.
According to the report, the DSS operatives were found in possession of the court’s cause lists and were selectively allowing only lawyers whose names appeared on those lists to gain access. This move effectively prevented others who came to file processes or follow up on litigation from entering the court.
Mr. Ojaomo further reported that a lawyer who attempted to record the actions of the security agents was arrested and had his phone seized by the operatives.
The NBA Citizens’ Engagement Committee condemned what it described as an infringement on the constitutional rights of Nigerians, stating that the courts are public institutions and must remain accessible to all, particularly lawyers who have business to conduct there.
“The courts’ premises are public places, and litigants and lawyers who have businesses to conduct in the Court must be allowed to exercise their constitutional rights to access same,” Edun said.
He called on the Honorable Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Honorable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to swiftly intervene in the matter, warning that the increasing trend of security interference in judicial spaces threatens the independence of the judiciary and undermines the rule of law.
“The need to ensure that the independence of the judiciary and the sanctity of the Courts are not eroded by gun-totting security personnel can never be over-emphasized,” he added.
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