A shocking incident unfolded on Saturday, 13th January 2024, as a Lawyer Olajesu Bakare, a member of the NBA Abeokuta Branch, reportedly went on a rampage, displaying unprofessional conduct and committing acts of assault, disturbance of public peace, and threats to life.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the incident, which has prompted calls for urgent action, took place at the residence of Alhaji Fatai Aro in Olomore, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
A statement jointly signed by the Human Rights and Grassroots Development Society (HRGDS) and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) Ogun have jointly called on the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to swiftly address the behaviour allegedly exhibited by the Lawyer .
According to the complaint lodged by Alhaji Fatai Aro, the victim in this case, Lawyer Bakare, accompanied by four unidentified armed individuals posing as policemen, were reported to have forcefully entered Alhaji Aro’s residence around 3:20 pm.
Bakare, allegedly acting as a tout, demanded that Alhaji Fatai Aro sign an unknown document immediately.
PLATFORM TIMES further gathered that when Aro insisted on reading the document before signing, Bakare’s behaviour allegedly took a violent turn.
Eyewitnesses attest that Bakare physically assaulted Alhaji Fatai Aro, slapping him, dragging him on the floor, and even resorting to using his shoe to beat him.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the distressing episode unfolded in the presence of shocked onlookers, constituting a serious disturbance of public peace in the neighbourhood.
It was further gathered that Aro promptly reported the incident to the Lafenwa Divisional Police Headquarters.
Further findings showed that despite police intervention, Bakare remained unyielding, reportedly making life-threatening statements and refusing to cooperate with law enforcement officers.
Efforts to correct his behaviour on-site proved futile, leading the police to abandon him and his accomplices in frustration.
In response to this egregious violation of professional ethics, HRGDS and CDHR Ogun have strongly condemned Lawyer Olajesu Bakare’s actions.
They emphasised the need for a comprehensive investigation and immediate sanctions to prevent such misconduct from tarnishing the legal profession’s reputation.
The organisations call for the cooperation of the Nigerian Bar Association in ensuring justice for the victim, Alhaji Fatai Aro, and maintaining the integrity of the legal profession.