The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Kano branch, has condemned what it described as “blatant, lawless and unacceptable” disregard for the judiciary by the Kano State Police Command over the continued detention of a lawyer despite a court order for his release.
In a press release issued on Thursday, the branch said the Kano State High Court had on 19th May 2016, in suit No. K/MI210 between Barrister Ahmad Tijani Miko and the Commissioner of Police, Kano State & 3 Others, ordered the immediate release of Miko.
According to the NBA, Miko had been unlawfully detained for seven consecutive days without trial by the Kano Police Command. The association said the court order was duly served on the Commissioner of Police but was ignored, with the command maintaining custody of the legal practitioner.
“When those who are paid by taxpayers to enforce the law become the frontline violators of the law, the fabric of civil society is fundamentally threatened,” the statement signed by NBA Kano branch Chairman, Usman Umar Fari, said.
The association described the alleged disobedience as a violation of Miko’s fundamental human rights and “a direct assault on the judiciary and a dangerous invitation to anarchy.” It added that such conduct sends a signal that obedience to court orders is optional.
“The Police Force is a creation of the law and must operate strictly within the ambit of the constitution. We will not stand by and watch the country slide into a state of institutionalized lawlessness,” Fari said.
The NBA demanded the “instant and unconditional release” of the detained lawyer in compliance with the subsisting order of the Kano State High Court.
