A Nigerian law firm, Platinum & Taylor Hill LP, has publicly condemned the assault on one of its lawyers, Olamide Timothy Olaniyi, by officers of the Nigerian Police.
In a statement signed by the Firm’s Managing Partner, Olalekan F. Ojo, the Firm described the attack on Olaniyi as an “egregious act of violence” that both violates the lawyer’s fundamental human rights and strikes at the core of the rule of law.
Ojo also acknowledged the intervention of the Nigerian Bar Association while demanding the identification and prosecution of the officers responsible for assaulting Olaniyi.
The full statement is reproduced below:
Platinum & Taylor Hill LP, a leading law firm in Nigeria, is deeply saddened and appalled by the egregious act of violence perpetrated against one of our esteemed associates, Olamide Timothy Olaniyi, by officers of the Nigerian Police Force.
On Wednesday, March 6th, 2024, Olamide Timothy Olaniyi was viciously beaten by members of the Nigerian Police Force within the premises of the Lagos State Police Headquarters. This reprehensible act not only violates his fundamental rights to dignity and freedom of movement, as enshrined under Sections 34 and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) but also strikes at the core of the rule of law.
The incident occurred when Mr. Olaniyi visited the station to inquire about a client who was detained. Despite his lawful purpose, he was met with insults and unwarranted hostility from officers wielding firearms. Fearful for his safety, he initially retreated but was later advised by other officers to enter the station to make his inquiries. However, upon his return, he was subjected to a brutal assault, leaving his face swollen and his clothes torn. He left the premises in tears and agony, unsure of what to do next, but driven by a determination to seek justice.
We express our sincere appreciation to Mr Ben Hundeyin, the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, for his swift response to this matter. However, we are deeply disappointed by the statement attributed to the Commissioner of Police, Fayoade Adegoke Mustapha, who scolded our associate for bringing attention to the incident on social media.
Platinum & Taylor Hill LP firmly believes that transparency and accountability are essential pillars of a just society. We demand that the officers responsible for this despicable act be identified and prosecuted within 7 days. This demand is not only in line with the principles of the Nigerian Police Act but also essential for upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens.
We extend our gratitude to the Nigerian Bar Association, our colleagues, and the media for their support in this matter. Together, we must strive for a Nigerian Police Force that respects the rule of law and ensures that legal practitioners can carry out their duties without fear of reprisal.
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