Phillip Tunji Ojo, a lawyer detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Oyo State, has been released.
His release comes approximately 24 hours after his arrest in Ibadan. Following his detention, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) staged a peaceful protest, demanding Ojo’s unconditional release.
The Ibadan NBA Chairman, Ibrahim Lawal, confirmed Ojo’s release to Channels Television on Thursday.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that NBA members in Ibadan, on Thursday, held a peaceful protest to demand Ojo’s release from detention.
Led by branch chairman, Lawal, the protest began at the NBA State Secretariat and proceeded to the EFCC zonal office in Iyaganku.
The protesters, captured in a video obtained by SaharaReporters, called for the immediate and unconditional release of Ojo, as well as the return of his personal belongings.
The demonstration was a show of solidarity and a demand for justice for their detained colleague.
The lawyers strongly condemned EFCC’s actions, describing them as unlawful.
During the protest on the EFCC premises, the lawyers held placards reading ‘NBA Ibadan says no to intimidation of lawyers’ among others and demanded the immediate release of their detained colleague.
Ojo was arrested and detained, along with a court bailiff, while serving a court process to the EFCC.
The NBA Ibadan branch organised the protest to highlight what they described as a pattern of injustice against legal practitioners by the EFCC.
Nigerian Bar Association, Ibadan Branch is presently protesting against EFCC brutality in Ibadan. pic.twitter.com/J6zt03uRcc
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) August 22, 2024
