Let NBA Not Be Pocketed By SSS Under You Watch — Enejoh Aruwa SAN Writes NBA President, Maikyau

*Faults NBA’s Response To DSS Assault On NCoS Official, Silence On Disparaging Remarks About Maxwell Opara

In a recent letter addressed to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN, a legal practitioner Shaibu Enejoh Aruwa, SAN, expressed his concern and disapproval of the NBA’s response to the recent incident involving the Department of State Services (DSS) and officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) at the premises of the Federal High Court in Lagos on 25th July 2023.

In the letter made available to TheNigeriaLawyer, Enejoh Aruwa pointed out that the NBA’s statement failed to accurately depict the gravity of the situation that occurred during the clash between the DSS personnel and the NCoS officers. He asserted that what transpired was not a mere “altercation” or “clash,” as portrayed in the NBA’s response, but a blatant and brazen attack by DSS personnel on an NCoS officer.

He wrote, “Respectfully Mr. President, I feel the statement of the NBA failed to reflect the visual of “the despicable altercation” in circulation as captured by the electronic, print and social media. What happened clearly was an attack brazenly carried out by men of the DSS on an officer of the NCoS; the NBA statement should have reflected what it is and not an altercation or a clash.

One can only imagine the anguish of the family, colleagues and loved ones of the NCos officer who was a victim of the thuggish display by the personnel of the DSS which may be made worst by the statement of the NBA. In addition to condemning the brazen disrespect for the sanctity of the court premises, NBA ought to have sympathized with the NCoS officer that was so brutalized.”

Mr. Aruwa urged the NBA to acknowledge the severity of the incident and demonstrate solidarity with the victim’s family, colleagues, and loved ones, who must be suffering due to the thuggish behavior displayed by the DSS personnel. He emphasized the need for the NBA to condemn such acts and hold the heads of the respective security agencies accountable.

Furthermore, the legal practitioner highlighted another concerning incident where a member of the NBA, Mr. Maxwell Opara, was subjected to disparaging remarks by the DSS. Mr. Opara was insulted and denigrated by the DSS for daring to seek enforcement of court orders against the agency’s chief.

Enejoh Aruwa expressed his disappointment with the NBA’s silence in the face of this attack on one of its members. He called on the association to stand up for its member and protect legal practitioners who face threats or attacks while carrying out their professional duties.

“May I also use this opportunity to draw your attention to the attack on the person of Mr. Maxwell Opara a few days ago by the DSS. Mr. Opara was described by the DSS in denigrating terms as an “IPOB and Charge and Bail Lawyer” for having the courage and effrontery to seek to enforce court orders against the DSS Chief. Like most members of the NBA, I waited in vain for the response of the NBA in protection of its member who has come under attack by the DSS in the course of rendering his professional services.

Let it not be that the NBA is about to be pocketed by the DSS under your watch sir” he concluded.