Police Storm NBA Office In Lagos Over Planned Protest

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, Mr Adesina Ogunlana, is holed up at the Bar’s Branch Centre after it was stormed by the police.

In a telephone conversation with Channels TV’s judiciary correspondent minutes to 10 pm, Mr Ogunlana confirmed that over 50 policemen had laid siege at the Bar Centre since 4 pm ostensibly to arrest him.

He said he subsequently reached out to members of his Exco and other members of the branch who turned up in large numbers to prevent his arrest.

He said when the police authorities noticed this, they promptly sent a letter written by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos, Imohimi Edgal asking him to report to the police headquarters.

The letter titled “Invitation Letter, Re: Case of Threat to Public Peace /Conduct likely to cause breach of peace” reads in part, “This office is investigating the above-mentioned case reported through a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Ikeja.

“In furtherance to my investigation, you are requested to report to the undersigned on the 28th of March, 2018 by 1900hrs through O/C “X” Squad, who has been detailed by the Commissioner of Police to investigate the case. Your co-operation in this regard will be highly appreciated please.”

Mr Ogunlana who said he received the letter at 6.30pm said he saw through the plan of the police to arrest him and he subsequently sent word that the police commissioner should instead come to the Bar Centre to address him and the lawyers gathered there.

At the time of publishing this story, no side had shifted.

Mr Ogunlana, however, says that the planned protest of the lawyers and other civil society groups against the land use charge of the Lagos State Government would go on as scheduled tomorrow at the Bar Centre of the Ikeja branch at 2 pm.

The planned protest coincides with the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Lagos.