Ondo NBA Urges Police End Lawyer Harassment: Stop Phone Seizures

• The Akure branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged the Ondo State Police Command to stop the harassment and intimidation of lawyers at police stations.
• NBA Chairman Oju Kekemeke highlighted that lawyers are sometimes molested and forced to surrender mobile phones, which contain confidential client information, hindering their work.
• The NBA proposed regular joint meetings, monthly inspections of detention facilities, and joint training to improve collaboration and ACJL implementation.
• The association emphasized the need for mutual respect between police and lawyers to ensure effective criminal justice administration.
• Commissioner of Police Felix Ohagwu welcomed the collaboration proposals and pledged to support initiatives promoting justice and accountability.

The association highlighted that such conduct impedes lawyers from effectively representing their clients, calling for an immediate cessation of these practices.

The Akure branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has formally urged the Ondo State Police Command to address persistent issues of harassment and intimidation faced by legal practitioners at police stations. This critical appeal was made during a recent courtesy visit by the newly constituted executive of the Akure NBA to the State Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, at the command headquarters in Akure. The association highlighted that such conduct impedes lawyers from effectively representing their clients, calling for an immediate cessation of these practices.

Oju Kekemeke, Chairman of the Akure NBA, emphasized the complementary roles of both lawyers and police officers in upholding a stable and organized society. He articulated that effective collaboration, rather than conflict, is essential for the proper functioning of the justice system. Kekemeke stressed the fundamental need for mutual respect between the professions, asserting that while lawyers must respect police officers in their line of duty, the police must equally respect lawyers as advocates and solicitors, in line with their professional calling. This understanding is deemed crucial for making the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) work effectively in practice, from initial arrest and investigation through to prosecution and trial.

A significant point of contention raised by the NBA Chairman concerned the police command's policy requiring lawyers to surrender their mobile phones before entering police stations. Kekemeke argued that this policy severely hampers lawyers' ability to provide adequate representation, as mobile phones serve as a vital repository of information, including confidential client material. He described a lawyer's phone as more than a mere gadget, likening it to a 'mobile library' and a 'repository of information,' much of which is confidential to clients.

While acknowledging that reasonable screening and restrictions on photography or recording within sensitive areas might be justified, Kekemeke firmly stated that the mere possession of a lawyer's phone should not become an impediment to accessing clients. He recounted instances where lawyers have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, and even molestation while attempting to represent clients at police facilities, underscoring the urgency of the Akure NBA's plea to the Ondo police to end lawyer harassment.

Beyond addressing immediate grievances, the Akure NBA put forward several proactive proposals aimed at fostering stronger Akure NBA police collaboration and improving the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in Ondo State. These include the establishment of regular Police-NBA criminal justice coordination meetings. Such meetings would serve as a platform to discuss critical issues such as lawful arrests, the protection of suspects’ rights, ensuring lawyer access clients Ondo police during statement-taking and investigations, legal advice, detention protocols, and bail and bond procedures, alongside broader human rights compliance.

Further initiatives proposed by the NBA include monthly inspections of police detention facilities to ensure adherence to human rights standards, and joint training programmes for both lawyers and police officers. Kekemeke also suggested a formal communication channel: if the police encounter issues with any NBA member, the association should be directly informed for proper engagement, thereby preventing recurring conflicts and promoting a more harmonious working relationship between the Nigerian Bar Association Ondo and the police command.

In response to the NBA's concerns and proposals, Commissioner of Police Felix Ohagwu acknowledged the vital role of complementary efforts from the police, legal practitioners, and other stakeholders for the effective administration of criminal justice. He expressed a welcoming stance towards the proposal for stronger collaboration between the police and the Nigerian Bar Association Ondo.

Commissioner Ohagwu assured the visiting lawyers of the command’s readiness to maintain professional engagement, enhance communication, and support initiatives that promote justice, accountability, and the rule of law. This commitment suggests a potential for improved relations and a more structured approach to addressing the challenges faced by lawyers, which could lead to better lawyer access clients Ondo police and a more robust ACJL implementation Ondo State.

Lawyers and compliance officers operating in Ondo State should be aware of the Nigerian Bar Association's ongoing advocacy to address harassment and restrictions at police stations, and monitor for potential changes in police conduct and protocols regarding legal representation and access to clients.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH