The Nigerian Bar Association was briefed yesterday of the alleged actions of some heavily armed Police officers who were said to have invaded and disrupted the proceedings of a Mobile Court in Abuja with a view to assisting their colleagues, who were said to have been arraigned before the Court, to escape justice.

The NBA is further informed that in an attempt to rescue their colleagues and obstruct justice, the armed Police officers started shooting indiscriminately without regards to the safety of lives and properties. The unruly conduct of the armed security officials was said to have compelled the Court officials and other persons within the vicinity to scamper for safety.

The Nigerian Bar Association is aware that the NBA Abuja branch is following up on the matter and shall support the branch in this regard.

The Nigerian Bar Association strongly condemns the unruly conduct of the said armed Police officers. The recurring act of invasion and disruption of proceedings of Courts by security officials is a threat to the rule of law and must never be condoned by any responsible government. Security officials that are employed and paid by the Nigerian tax payers to enforce the laws of the country, should not be the same persons disrespecting the institution of the law by invading the hallowed precincts of a Court and putting the lives of the Court officials at risk.

The NBA demands that the Inspector General of Police and the Director General, State Security Service immediately step into this matter and ensure that the Police officers involved in this dastardly act are arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

Kunle Edun
National Publicity Secretary, NBA.