The Kwara State branch of the Nigerian Bar Association has taken legal action against two officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps over alleged assault on a lawyer in Ilorin.

The officers named In the suit are Ajayi Williams Gbolahan and Busari Babatunde.

The case, filed before a Chief Magistrate Court in Ilorin, stems from a complaint that the lawyer, Aladodo Abdullateef Nurudeen, was allegedly assaulted while on official duty.

According to a direct complaint submitted by the NBA and signed by its secretary, Barrister Dauda Jimoh, the incident occurred on April 10, 2026, at an NSCDC facility in Ilorin where the lawyer had gone to meet a client.

The association alleged that despite identifying himself as a legal practitioner, the lawyer was confronted and beaten.

The complaint further stated that he was forcibly taken into a room within the premises where he was allegedly subjected to further physical assault, leaving him injured and humiliated.

The NBA described the incident as “unprovoked and a clear abuse of authority,” insisting that it violated the dignity and safety of legal practitioners carrying out professional duties.

At the resumed hearing, prosecuting counsel Professor D. A. Ariyo-Osu, represented by Barrister J. S. Muhammad, told the court that the NSCDC command in Kwara State had failed to comply with an earlier court order directing the production of the accused officers.

He urged the court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of both defendants and also requested that the NSCDC Commandant be compelled to appear and explain alleged disobedience to court directives.

Counsel to the NSCDC, M. M. Kolo, apologised for the absence of the Commandant, adding that one of the officers, Ajayi Williams Gbolahan, had reportedly gone missing after disciplinary measures began internally, while the second officer could not be formally identified within the command structure.

Presiding over the matter, Chief Magistrate Adebayo Maryam Qudus Dupe granted the prosecution’s applications, including the request for a warrant of arrest.

The court also ordered that the NSCDC Commandant be summoned to show cause why he should not be held in contempt for failing to comply with previous directives.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to May 20, 2026 for further hearing. (Daily Trust)

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