Today, our young lawyers have been arrested and detained by the police men for seeking the bail of their clients. Recently I went to the police station to bail a client who was arrested for no offence known by our laws, a police friend at the station called me and advised me not to go to the counter for his bail, let him talk to the IPO of the case, if they see me (a lawyer) they will not grant him bail. They will rather charge him to court for whatever reason. I was surprised that the Nigeria police now has the effrontery to dare lawyers.
It will be recalled how a lawyer was arrested at Port Harcourt and taken to force headquarters for issuing a quite notice to a tenant.
Just last few days ago, a young lawyer of NBA Aba Branch was picked up by the police, prepared a trump up charge and taken to court over night. Unfortunately, he was reminded in Umuahia’s prisons.
The magistrates are not helping matters, they work with the police against even their own colleagues. It is highly worrisome when a magistrate will grant bail and ask the police prosecutor who is against the bail to certify that the surety is credible before he/she can sign the bail papers. Where are we heading to?
We as an association must rise up to the challenge and defend our association from the hands of the police and some magistrates who are working hand in glove with the police.
It is in the light of the above that I support the decision of the young lawyers of NBA Aba branch to storm Umuahia prison in solidarity visit to their colleague who was arrested, charged to court and over night sent to Umuahia prisons.
By Sabastine Anyia