Lawyer’s assault: Court enforces bench warrant against NSCDC officer in Kwara

A magistrate court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, has enforced bench warrant against an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), one Abdulkadir Bello, for failing to appear before it over a case of alleged assault on a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin branch, Barrister Abdulfatai Rabiu.

The defendant (Bello), was charged before Magistrate Muhammed Ibrahim on the offences of criminal assault and wrongful confinement.

Direct Complaint revealed that the defendant assaulted the lagal practitioner by calling him fake lawyer and also handcuffed him for an hour when he visited the NSCDC office to secure bail for his client.

Magistrate Ibrahim frowned at the absence of the defendant in court saying excuse given by his counsel that he is on national assignment could not be substantiated.

Magistrate Ibrahim, in his ruling, issued bench warrant against the NSCDC officer to compel his appearance in court at the next adjourned date while the matter was adjourned to 28th of this month for further mention.

It would be recalled that Barr. Rabiu was allegedly assaulted when he visited the NSCDC office, Ilorin branch, on the instruction of his senior to perfect bail condition of his client, Aliyu Adam, who was detained over an issue relating to debt.

The Direct complaint revealed that the defendant insisted that N50,000 from the outstanding money before he would be released from their custody.

Two officers were said to have engaged Adam to the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) where money was withdrawn to make up the requested N50,000.

The defendant was said to have invited Barrister Rabiu to their office on the basis that nominant complainant want to see him, a development that resulted into the legal practitioner been assaulted.