NBA Ibadan Branch Condemns Police Har*ssment Of Lady, Towobola, In Viral Video, For Being With Alleged Armed Robbery Suspects

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ibadan Branch has condemned in clear terms, the brutal act of Police in harassing a young lady who was found in the company of an alleged armed robbery suspect.

This is contained in a statement issued by Delayo L-Oriekun, Vice Chairman NBA Ibadan Chairman Human Rights Committee, dated 24th July, 2020 which was made available to TheNigeriaLawyer.

“Since the video of a young 25 years lady found in the company of an arrested armed robbery suspect went viral, the Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ibadan Branch has swung into action and interacted with the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State on the matter. The Committee has also maintained regular contact with the victim of the brutal conduct and her family.

“The Nigeria Bar Association decries the unprofessional and tactless approach of the investigative police officers handling the case. The Bar is more worried with the manner the young lady was manhandled, manacled, tortured and subjected to putrid humiliation. The bar condemns, in an unmistaken terms, the barbaric act of the officers and same is unacceptable. The conduct of the officers, without mincing words, is irresponsible, uncivilized and reprehensible.”

In addition, the Branch noted that the unfortunate situation came up barely after its visit to the State Commissioner of Police.

“It is unfortunate that the irresponsible conduct of these officers became public barely 24 hours after the Executive of the NBA Ibadan Branch under the able leadership of Olayinka Abiodun Esan Esq. visited the Commissioner of Police and the apparatus of the police institution to forge alliance on a good working relationship especially in the area of promotion and enforcement of the fundamental human rights of the Nigerian citizens.”

However, the Branch commends the swift intervention of the IGP and Commissioner of Police in the matter.

“We have however noted with admiration, the timely intervention of the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, Mr. Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu, psc for his personal engagement with the bar and assurances on this matter. We also applaud the Inspector General of Police for showing quick and immediate interest on the subject matter. We are hopeful that the police will conduct an objective and thorough investigation on the degrading and dehumanisation treatments meted to the young lady.”

Besides, the Branch urged that there should be proper treatment of citizens by the Police in line with professional standards and called on Police Service Commission to devise means of continuous training for policemen.

“We also seize this opportunity to urge the police to ensure that adequate regard is given to professionalism and international best practices while carrying out their lawful activities. The men and officers of the Nigerian Police should note that Nigeria is not a jungle and as such it should not be made one by the Nigerian Police in the onerous duty of maintaining law and order in the society.

“We further call on the Police Service Commission to conduct regular trainings for the men and officers of the police to avoid such embarrassing consequences as depicted by the officers in the instant case in the daily engagement with the society.”

Furthermore, the Branch has appreciated all the members who expressed keen interest in the matter and the SANs who volunteered to take up the matter.

“The Nigerian Bar Association, Ibadan Branch appreciates all our members, other civil society organizations who have shown deep interests and expressed serious concern in this disturbing matter. We thank the respective bar leaders, most importantly, the Senior Advocates of Nigeria who have expressed their desire to take up the matter pro bono.”

Finally, the Branch assured the victim, her family and the general public that it awaits the outcome of IGP’s intervention, stating that it would closely monitor the activities of the Police to ensure strict compliance with human rights.

“We assure the victim, her family and the general public that NBA Ibadan Branch is awaiting the outcome of the IG’s intervention.

“The bar will not condone any inhuman and degrading against Nigerians. We are poised and determined to follow up the case to a very logical conclusion as well as ensure that the citizens’ rights are not violated indiscriminately by law enforcement agencies within and outside Oyo State.

“The bar will more ever than before monitor the police and ensure that institution being a creation of the constitution carries out its duties within the ambit of the constitution, the Administration of Criminal Justice legislation and other enabling laws without fear or favour.” The statement concluded.