Lagos Lawyer Files Suit Challenging Seizure Of Call-To-Bar Certificate By Police

A Lagos-based Lawyer, Mr Anthony Makolo, on Monday, asked a
Federal High Court Lagos, to enforce his fundamental rights against
the Police, over unlawful detention and seizure of his Call to Bar
Certificate.

In his suit labelled FHC/L/CS/2111/18, the applicant joined the
following as first to fourth respondents:

The Inspector General of Police, Deputy Inspector General of
Police, Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department
(FCIID) Alagbon, Supol Olademeji, and Insp. Ayeni.

The applicant avers that he had acted as legal practitioner to
two clients, over a property dispute, and had acompanied them to
the FCIID Alagbon office, on Nov. 6, following police
invitation.

He said that after the statements of his clients were obtained
by the fourth respondent, they were released on bail with one
surety, who duly executed the bail bond, while his clients were
asked to report back the following day Nov. 7.

According to him, his clients reported back the following day as
directed, and were subsequently discharged by the fourth
respondent, who promised to inform them “whenever the need
arises”.

Makolo said that he was surprised when on Nov.12, the third and
fourth respondent accosted him at the Yaba Magistrates’ Court,
handcuffed him, and pushed him into a waiting Honda Car, and drove
off to their office.

He said that when it dawned on him the possible reason for his
arrest, he immediately reminded them that he was not a surety for
his client, but had only recommended their bails, adding that the
surety is the proper person to be invited where they fail to show
up.

According to him, the respondents replied that they had no time
for that.

He said that it took the intervention of his colleagues who had
seen him whisked away from the Yaba Court, to seek his bail the
following day Nov. 13.

He said that he was admitted to bail with two sureties, while
the original copy of his Call to Bar Certificate, was seized by the
respondent, and same has not been released to him till date,
inspite of repeated demands.

The applicant, therefore, seeks a declaration, that his
detention over the bail recommendation on behalf of his client, is
unlawful, adding that the respondents are a creation of the law,
and must act within lawful limits.

The applicant also seeks an order, declarIng the seizure of his
Certificate, as a flagrant abuse and violation of his right to
legal practice, and urges the court to order the immediate release
of his practising certificate.

Besides, the applicant claims the sum of N50 million in damages,
against the respondents, jointly and severally, for breach of his
fundamental rights.

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