The Arewa young Lawyers Forum has condemned in strong terms the alleged unlawful and detention of Barrister Muhuyi Magaji, by the Nigerian police.
In a statement signed by Umar Abdullahi Chiroma,the Chairman, ST Yshaya and Hamza N Dantani, on behalf of the body of young legal practitioners, from the 19 Northern States under the Arewa Young Lawyers Forum, condemned what they described as the unlawful arrest and detention of Muhuyi, the former Chairman of the Kano state public Complaint and the Anti- Corruption Commission by heavily armed policemen deployed from Abuja to Kano state , who whisked him away from his Law firm in a suspicious circumstances.
” The forum condemned the way Muhuyi Magaji, was whisked away from his Law firm in a manner reminiscent of a Gestapo operation”
According to the group” the alleged offence for which Muhuyi, a member of the Arewa Young Lawyers Forum was arrested is currently pending before a competent Court of law and it is therefore sub judice .
The group noted that ” the police is fully aware that it cannot constitutionally usurp the power of the Court as guaranteed in Section 6( 6) ( b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ( as amended), by purporting to investigate a matter under judicial
determination ” it opined .
” Such conduct strikes at the heart of the doctrine of the separation of powers and the supremacy of the Constitution “
The group observed.
Continue it stated that ” in the case of Kalu Vs FRN ( 2014), 1 NWLR ( PT 1389), 479, the Court held amongst other things that there must not be interference with the administration of justice when a matter is pending before a competent Court of Law”
The Forum averred that ” the action been questioned against Muhuyi were statutory functions, lawfully and dutifully carried out in the course of his service as a public servant pursuant to section 9 of the public Complaint and Anti- Corruption Commission “
” It’s dangerous precedent for any society to begin to criminalise of a public , for act done in good faith pursuant to their statutory mandate” it warms
The expressed concern about the heavily armed police officers sent to arrest Muhuyi saying,
” Even more disturbing is the manner of his arrest . A legal practitioner, minister in the temple of justice was by arrested by heavily armed officers , accompanied by five Vans as though he was a violent criminals, bandit or a kidnapper”
The group also condemned the brazen deploy of excesses in the arrest of a lawyer while admonishing the police authorities not reduce itself to instruments of oppression.
” The rules of law must be preserved, especially for one who has served the public within the confines of the law should not be subjected to such degrading treatment ‘
The group appeal to the inspector General of police , Mr. Kayode Egbetokun to investigate the role of the police in the unlawful arrest and detention of Muhuyi and release him in the interest of justice.
News Editor