Nigerian Lawyer Alleges Police Brutality, Sparks Outcry from Legal Community

Timothy Olamide, a Nigerian lawyer, has come forward with allegations of brutal treatment by a member of the Lagos State Police Command, igniting a firestorm of condemnation and calls for action within the legal fraternity.

Olamide recounted his harrowing experience at the Ikeja police station, where he claimed to have been subjected to a “merciless beating” akin to that of a “condemned criminal.” His visit to the station was on behalf of a colleague, seeking information on a case that had been ongoing for a month.

In a series of posts on his X profile, @Timo_Olamide, the lawyer detailed his ordeal, expressing shock and dismay at the unwarranted violence he faced. He revealed that a police officer callously cautioned him, insinuating that lawyers should not intervene in certain cases.

The response from the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, prompted further scrutiny, as Olamide was urged to provide specific details of the incident and encouraged to report the matter directly to the police Complaint Response Unit.

Support poured in for Olamide, with one X user, @KingEsene, advising him to seek assistance from prominent legal figures such as Chukwuka Ikwuazom, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos State Branch. Despite efforts to seek help, including reaching out to Ikwuazom via WhatsApp, Olamide’s quest for justice remained unresolved.

This incident adds to a disturbing trend of lawyers facing violence and intimidation while carrying out their professional duties in Lagos. Just months prior, lawyer Olumide Sonupe was hospitalized after allegedly being detained and mistreated by police at the Moshalashi Police Station.

In response to these incidents, members of the Lagos State NBA branch staged a peaceful protest, demanding accountability and an end to the unlawful treatment of legal practitioners. Renowned human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, called for thorough investigations into cases of police brutality against lawyers in the state.