Kano NBA accuses Police of colluding with PDP, intimidation of members
Our reporter
The Kano State branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has accused the state Police command of partisanship as well as colluding with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to molest, arrest and detain some of its members who were carrying out their legitimate duties.
In a press statement it issued on Wednesday and made available to The Daily Times, the Kano branch of NBA also called on the Police to maintain neutrality and not take sides in politics, in line with the laws establishing the Nigeria Police.
According to the statement which was signed by its Secretary, Mujtaba Adamu-Ameen, the NBA also demanded a public apology from the Police to the Association for attacking and maltreating their members while they were on official duties.
“Yesterday, Tuesday 19th March, 2019 at around 23.00 hours, heavily armed Policemen numbering about 30, in six HILUX Police vans alongside a political party member wearing red cap and some pressmen stormed an election petition secretariat here in Kano where our colleagues were working in preparation for election petition, molested, arrested and took them away with their working documents, Computer systems and other working equipments to the state command of the Nigeria Police in Bompai, where they were put in cells and spent the night there,” the statement said.
Continuing, the statement said that “All explanation made by the lawyers on their status and what they were doing, with sufficient proof of request for result sent to INEC and certified true copy obtained thereof fell on deaf ears”.
Subsequently, the Association said it resolved to condemn the ‘unprofessional act of the Police for molesting, arresting and detaining our colleagues carrying out their lawful duties at the secretariat in which they were reviewing election results obtained and certified by the INEC.
“We call on the commissioner of Police to be non partisan and professional in the discharge of his official duties, as it is becoming apparent that his action and that of his men are going contrary to the rule of law and their oath of office.
“We demand an immediate apology to the NBA for attacking and maltreating our members while on their lawful duties within 48 hours of this press release,” the statement concluded.
