NBA ABUJA BRANCH CONDEMNS THE ARREST, HARASSMENT AND DETENTION OF LAWYERS IN THE COURSE OF PROFESSIONAL DUTIES
The Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), strongly condemns the arrest, handcuffing, harassment and detention of *Mr. Simon Eromosele, Esq.*, a member of the NBA Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), on the 14th of August, 2026, while carrying out his legitimate professional duties as Counsel.
From the account presented to the Branch, Mr. Eromosele was at the OPay office in Jabi, Abuja, to follow up on a formal request made on behalf of his client concerning debit restrictions placed on the client’s OPay account, and to seek disclosure of the legal basis for the restriction, including the production of any court order purportedly authorising it.
Rather than being permitted to complete that professional engagement, Mr. Eromosele was reportedly arrested, handcuffed and taken first to the Utako Police Station and subsequently to the IG Monitoring Unit at Force Headquarters, Asokoro, where he was interrogated over his official communication with OPay on behalf of his client. He was thereafter detained and eventually released on bail on self-recognisance at about 9:30 p.m., following sustained intervention by the Branch.
This is deeply troubling and cannot be dismissed as a mere disagreement between the police and counsel.
The Branch is further concerned that this incident may be part of a wider and disturbing pattern.
We have also received disturbing reports concerning Mr. Oyibe Chikaodiri, Esq., who, after lawfully obtaining a court order setting aside similar restrictions on his client's account, was reportedly arrested and detained by SARS operatives last month. If confirmed, this represents a systematic assault on the legal profession and a deliberate effort to intimidate lawyers who dare to challenge executive overreach.
A lawyer should not be subjected to arrest or detention merely for acting on a client's instructions, exercising a client's right of access to court, or invoking the jurisdiction of a competent court.
The NBA Abuja Branch recognises and respects the legitimate investigative and law-enforcement powers of the Nigeria Police Force. However, those powers must at all times be exercised within the limits prescribed by the Constitution and the law. Investigative powers cannot properly be exercised in a manner that undermines the independence of the legal profession or intimidates a lawyer for the legitimate exercise of his duties to his client.
The NBA Abuja Branch unequivocally states that the Nigerian police cannot, by administrative or investigative action, assume the jurisdiction of a competent court. Neither can the existence of an investigation, without more, extinguish a lawyer's right to represent a client, challenge an administrative action or seek judicial redress.
A lawyer's official request for the legal basis of an action affecting his client's rights cannot, of itself, constitute interference with a police investigation.
The Branch is particularly concerned by the reported use of handcuffs, detention and the alleged confiscation and unlawful examination of a lawyer's personal telephone in circumstances arising from his professional engagement.
Lawyers are officers of the Court. They must be able to act fearlessly in the interest of their clients and in defence of the rule of law. If every lawyer who questions an official action or seeks judicial intervention risks arrest or detention, then it is not merely the lawyer who is being silenced; the administration of justice itself is placed at risk.
If lawyers cannot act without fear of reprisal, then the doors of justice are effectively closed to the citizenry.
The NBA Abuja Branch therefore acknowledges and appreciates the prompt intervention of the Branch officials and members who, acting in their respective capacities as representatives of the Branch, responded to the distress call and immediately engaged the relevant police authorities. We particularly commend the Branch Secretary, Mr. Vincent Adodo Esq., Publicity Secretary, Mr. Michael Obinna Ochili, Esq., Ms Eudorah Ezeonye Esq., Ms. Mojirayo Ogunlana Esq., and other colleagues who, on behalf of the Branch, sustained engagement with the police authorities until Mr. Eromosele was released.
However, this release must not be seen as a conclusion of the matter. The spate of recurring reports of lawyers being arrested, intimidated or detained in connection with the legitimate representation of clients demands urgent institutional attention.
We therefore call on the National Leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association and of sister branches in the FCT to join hands with the Abuja Branch in engaging the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant authorities towards establishing clear and effective protocols for engagement with lawyers in the course of their professional duties.
We further call for an appropriate review of the circumstances surrounding this incident and other similar incidents, with a view to ensuring that no law-enforcement agency treats the legitimate exercise of legal representation, or recourse to a competent court, as a basis for intimidation, arrest or detention.
The police have a duty to enforce the law. Lawyers have a duty to ensure that the law is observed and that citizens have meaningful access to justice. These duties should complement, not conflict with, each other.
The arrest and intimidation of lawyers for the lawful discharge of their professional duties must stop.
The NBA Abuja Branch will continue to deploy all lawful institutional and legal mechanisms available to it to protect its members and uphold the independence, dignity and integrity of the legal profession, the administration of justice and the rule of law.
15 August 2026
Signed:
YAKUBU PHILEMON, SAN
Chairman
Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar)
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