The Katsina state chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has resolved to boycott courts today across the state following the alleged physical brutality on their members by the police.
The state chairman of the association, Barrister Murtala Kassim, said this yesterday at a press conference in Katsina, saying that the association would not tolerate any act of brutality against their members.
According to him, “all lawyers in the state unanimously agreed that courts would be boycotted on April 9, in order to register our grievances and utter displeasure over the illegal act of the police.”
The Association accused the police of illegal and unconstitutional, detention, torture and attempt on the life of their member, Barrister Bassil Essien on 28 March at Sabon gari Police station.
Kassim alleged that one Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Sabon Gari Police Division in Katsina town Mr Aduroja Moses ordered 8 officers in the station to dealt with Barrister Essien in his effort to bail his client in the station on the same date.
Kassim, who quoted from the petition written to the state Police Commissioner on the matter, said “while Barrister Essien was waiting aside to the DPO, Aduroja shouted and addressing him as a stupid and ordered him to get out of the station”
He said when their colleague insisted to see him; the DPO slapped him on the face and ordered his boys to beat him up.
He said: “The DPO brought out a small cylinder and sprayed its content into the eyes of Barrister Essien and dragged him to the interrogation room for a second round of beating.”
Kassim claimed that after all the brutality, the DPO, threw Bassil, into a small cell with only three little slit vents and open toilet with smell oozing into the cell.
He described the act as “unlawful, unconstitutional and unprofessional conduct” of the police officers, saying the issue would not be settled until “justice is done to Barrister Bassil.”
Kassim, however, called on the Inspector General of Police and Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina state to act immediately on the matter for the peace to reign.
