Scores of security men including officials of the Department of State Security (DSS) led by DCP Operations, Lagos State Police Command, Mr A. Mohammed, on Wednesday invaded the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) office, Ikeja Branch.
The siege followed a threat by the NBA led by its Chairman, Adesina Ogunlana, to call out members on a protest on Thursday to coincide with President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Lagos.
But the state police spokesman, Chike Oti, said the NBA boss was only being invited to know the area the protest would cover, especially in view of President Muhammadu Buhari’s official visit to the state.
About 50 policemen in more than 25 pickup vans came at about 4pm bearing an invitation letter from the Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal.
The letter with Ref No. AR:3000/LS/XS/ADM.2/Vol.27/ is entitled “Invitation Letter, Re: Case of Threat to Public Peace /Conduct Likely to Cause Breach of Peace”.
It reads: “This office is investigating the above-mentioned case reported through a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Ikeja.
“In furtherance to my investigation, you are requested to report to the undersigned on the 28th of March, 2018 by 7.00 p.m. through O/C “X” Squad, who has been detailed by the Commissioner of Police to investigate the case. Your co-operation in this regard will be highly appreciated please.”
The police said they are investigating Mr Ogunlana and members of the NBA for conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The policemen, who are still at the NBA office as at 8.10pm, insisted on arresting the NBA chairman, while a number of lawyers were also on ground ostensibly to resist his arrest.
Earlier, NBA had at a news conference announced a protest slated for Thursday, March 29 and that he was being “threatened” over his posture on the Lagos land use charge.
The NBA chairman said that in spite of the reduction of the rates and levies under the land use charge the protest would go on as planned.
