COVID 19: NBA, Uyo Condemns Police Assault on Medical Doctor in Akwa Ibom State, Sets Up Lockdown Enforcement Monitoring Team.

The Nigerian Bar Association, Uyo Branch condemns in strong terms the alleged brutal assault on a member of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. David Daniel Edet, by an officer of the Nigerian Police Force, one Sergeant Alexander Edidiong. Dr. Edet was on his way to his official duty post.

According to credible information, Dr. Edet was stopped by the patrol team at Nung Oku junction, and despite appropriate identification with his Identity Card, was refused passage based on senseless enforcement of the COVID-19 Restriction Order issued by Akwa Ibom State Government. We are aware that the said Restriction Order clearly exempts healthcare professionals on essential duties. The said assailant reportedly hit Dr. Edet with a stick and fractured his hand in the process.

The action of the police officer is totally unacceptable in any civilized society. It portends danger in this collective fight to check the spread of COVID-19 in our dear state. The lockdown as directed by His Excellency, Gov. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel is not a license for law enforcement officers to harass, assault and intimidate citizens and residents of the state. It will amount to a grave mistake therefore for the people to fall victims of brutality by security agencies in the guise of enforcing the lockdown.

Accordingly, the NBA calls on the Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State, CP Imohinmi Edgal, to ensure that the erring officer faces appropriate disciplinary action to serve as a deterrent to other bad eggs in the force. We also urge the CP to educate his men and officers on the need to respect citizens” rights and protect the rule of law in carrying out their statutory functions in this trying period.

As an association that is focused on the promotion and protection of the rule of law, the NBA, Uyo has set up a committee to monitor the enforcement and effects of the lockdown in the state.

The Committee is headed by the Vice Chairman of the branch, Iquo Abia Esq. who also chairs the Human Rights Committee of the branch. Innih Archibong Esq. is Secretary of the Committee. Other members of the Monitoring Committee are: Andrew Umoh, Esq, Samuel Etuk,Esq, M. T. Ibrahim, Esq, Itohowo Bassey, Esq, Ubong OffiongEsq, Paul Nyambi Esq. Aniebiet Umoren, Esq and Blessing Ibanga Esq.

We enjoin all our citizens and residents to obey the lockdown and restriction of movement directive and also stay safe.