Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, took part in a demonstration alongside fellow legal professionals in Lagos, protesting against police brutality directed at lawyers and citizens. The catalyst for the protest was the recent detention of Olumide Sonupe, a lawyer based in Lagos, who had been held by the police at Gowon Estate Police Station for two days.
Sonupe's ordeal, during which a police officer allegedly assaulted him during negotiations, resulted in his hospitalisation on December 30, 2023. Responding to this incident and other reported cases of harassment and assault by the Nigerian police, hundreds of lawyers gathered at the bar centre of the Nigerian Bar Association (Ikeja branch). From there, they peacefully marched to the headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command.
During a press briefing in Ikeja, Falana explained that representatives from the five branches of the NBA in Lagos had met with the state police commissioner, Adegoke Fayoade. The commissioner assured them that a comprehensive investigation had been initiated into the Olumide Sonupe incident.
"Lagos State lawyers united today to protest against police brutality, prompted by the recent mistreatment of one of our colleagues," Falana declared. "Through him, we are making a stand that Nigerian lawyers and citizens will no longer tolerate the brutalisation of legal practitioners and the general populace. The NBA advocates for a thorough investigation into the incident at the police station, and fortunately, the commissioner of police announced today that an in-depth inquiry is already underway."
Originally intending to submit their petition against police brutality to Commissioner Fayoade, the lawyers found that the commissioner had learned of their planned protest. Commissioner Fayoade appeared at the bar centre before the protest to address their concerns, engaging in dialogue with the lawyers. Despite initial resistance to his presence, the lawyers, under Falana's guidance, permitted him to address the gathering before submitting their letter of protest.
Nevertheless, led by Femi Falana and the chairpersons of all five branches of the NBA in Lagos, the lawyers proceeded with the protest, vocalising solidarity songs to express their discontent with the behaviour of the police.
