Lawyer Condemns Unethical Alliance Between Legal Practitioners And Police In Human Rights Violations

Former NBA Chairman Bayo Akinlade calls out the unethical collusion between lawyers and police in Nigeria, citing the unlawful detention of Engineer Muyiwa Saanumi over a civil dispute.

Former NBA Chairman Raises Alarm Over Legal System Exploitation

The former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu Branch, Mr. Bayo Akinlade, has expressed deep concern over the increasing collaboration between lawyers and the police in violating citizens’ fundamental rights.

Highlighting a recent case involving Engineer Muyiwa Saanumi, Akinlade criticized the misuse of legal and law enforcement processes, which he claims are being weaponized to oppress individuals rather than uphold justice.

Engineer Detained Over Civil Dispute

According to reports, Engineer Muyiwa Saanumi has been unlawfully detained for over two weeks at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, following his arrest on January 16, 2025.

The arrest was based on a petition filed by Mrs. Olubusola Akinbiyi, Deputy General Manager at the Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSDPC), in connection to a ₦100 million loan dispute—a matter that is purely civil in nature.

Akinlade emphasized that Saanumi’s prolonged detention violates legal provisions that mandate a suspect’s right to bail or timely arraignment.

Legal Abuse and Alleged Extortion Attempts

Saanumi’s lawyer, E. Ayo, has made several attempts to secure his release, but these have been unsuccessful. There are allegations that the complainant and her lawyer are demanding a substantial repayment before agreeing to his bail conditions.

“This is a serious abuse of legal procedures and a clear attempt to use law enforcement for private financial disputes,” Akinlade remarked.

He further condemned this act as a gross violation of professional ethics, warning that such misconduct by lawyers and law enforcement officers damages the credibility of the justice system.

Call for NBA Intervention and Disciplinary Actions

To address the issue, Akinlade is urging the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to investigate this troubling case.

He stressed that if such practices are not checked, they will undermine the rule of law and further weaken public trust in the legal system.

The NBA, he insisted, must take immediate and decisive action to curb these unethical practices and ensure that lawyers remain committed to protecting citizens’ rights rather than enabling police misconduct.

Key Takeaways

A former NBA chairman, Bayo Akinlade, warns against the growing collusion between lawyers and police in violating citizens’ rights.
Engineer Muyiwa Saanumi has been unlawfully detained at FCID Alagbon for over two weeks over a civil loan dispute.
Allegations suggest that his release is being delayed due to financial demands by the complainant and her lawyer.
Akinlade calls for NBA and LPDC intervention to curb abuse of power and restore public trust in the legal system.