A former 1st Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and prominent legal practitioner, John Aikpokpo-Martins, has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of Anambra State and three other state counsel by the Nigeria Police Force, describing the action as a dangerous affront to the rule of law and a threat to legal professionalism in the country.
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In a statement titled “Let’s Do It… 2026”, Aikpokpo-Martins expressed outrage over reports that the officers were arrested by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP)’s Monitoring Unit for executing their constitutional duties — particularly in entering a nolle prosequi in a case involving the killing of an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“I express my strongest condemnation at the unbelievable report of the arrest and detention of the Anambra State Director of Public Prosecutions and three other counsel,” he stated. “This is a gross affront to constitutionality, the rule of law, and a threat to professionalism and the practice of law in Nigeria.”
According to him, the arrest reflects a fundamental breakdown in the mutual respect and cooperation expected within the criminal justice system.
“The DPP is a pivotal officer in the criminal justice hierarchy, just as the police are an important partner. But the police are not a superior agency to the DPP. This arrest signals a dangerous descent into chaos and impunity,” he warned.
Aikpokpo-Martins lauded the Nigerian Bar Association for swiftly responding to what he called an “apparent threat” to constitutional order, adding that there are well-established mechanisms for seeking redress against public officers like the DPP if the need arises.
“There are statutorily laid-down procedures to address grievances against public officers. The Police must not resort to bullying and lawlessness. The Inspector-General of Police and his officers must be bound by the rule of law. The Police is not above the law,” he emphasized.
He urged the leadership of the NBA and the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN) to petition President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly over the incident.
“This must be addressed decisively now and for all time. If not curtailed, it will mark the beginning of a reign of terror on state counsel and a collapse of the prosecutorial framework in Nigeria,” he cautioned.
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