“Yes” Movement In The Legal Profession Reacts To alleged assault On Karimu, Says They Will Get To The Root Of The Matter

RE: ALLEGED ASSAULT ON & PHYSICAL VIOLATION OF ONE MR OLAKUNLE KARIMU BY POLICE OFFICERS, AT THE INSTANCE OF MR KARIMU’S EX-PRINCIPAL IN CHAMBERS. Our attention has just been drawn to a story making rounds on Nigeria’s social media space, as follows: The above video shows a young lawyer, Mr Olakunle Karimu being physically repeatedly slapped and assaulted by two police officers, with one of them threatening to shoot his leg. The incident is reported to have happened in the law office of Oluyomi Olawore in Lagos on Friday, June 29, 2018. Reports suggest that Olakunle Karimu had gone to ask for his salary from his previous employer (a senior colleague) and his employer called the police to arrest him. In respect of this, we note as follows: (a) This story is too unfortunate and worrisome to be left to stay under the carpet, as no senior is at liberty to mete out such an inhuman and dehumanizing treatment on a learned junior. (b) That a lawyer was not paid by his senior-employer is in itself an abomination. Why employ at all if you can’t pay? And why agree to any salary scale if you know you or your pocket can’t meet up with its demands? (c). That the same lawyer being owed arrears of his wand salary came back to ask for his salary and the defaulting employer (a senior colleague) called the police is the height of rascality and inhumanity on the part of he affected senior colleague, with due respect to him. (d). That things have now degenerated to the level where police officers and law enforcer agents now attack, molest and assault an unarmed learned gentleman whose only offence is that he has asked for his just entitlements is not condonable as such might give the wrong impression that our society is gone back to the Stone Age during which “might is right” was the order. We of this age would not allow this to stand in the legal profession. (e). Accordingly, we in the “YES” MOVEMENT OF NIGERIA (LAW) have resolved to immediately get to the root of this matter by ensuring that justice is served as deserved while the wrath of the law is firmly unleashed on culprits (if any). (f) In doing this, however, it’s important in line with the twin pillars of justice, especially the Audi Altarem Partem, to note that we would adopt the feollowing procedure: (1). Contact the affected learned senior colleague to hear his own side, in view of section 36(5) of the CFRN, 1999 (as amended); (2). Contact the said Mr OLAKUNLE KARIMU with a view to getting first-hand details form him so as to separate the grains from chaff; and (3). Fish out the affected police station/location to demand an explanation on why a harmless, unarmed and law-abiding lawyer in the course of his pursuit of his legitimate interests had to be turned into a punching bag. (4). We would take legal actions as are necessary to seek redress for any victim, forestall a reoccurrence and deter others with similar disposition. (5) And we would keep lawyers abreast of developments as they unfold in this respect. Join us to seek fairness and justice in Law Practice in Nigeria. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice and freedom everywhere. Thank you, All S. CHUKWUN UDEMEZUE (Coordinator) THE “YES” MOVEMENT IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION (LAW)]]>