The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Kano branch, has issued a strong condemnation following two alarming incidents involving the harassment and unlawful arrest of lawyers by the Nigeria Police Force.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the NBA described the arrests as “a disturbing pattern of human rights violations” and demanded immediate action from the federal government.
According to the statement, on September 19, 2025, Mohammad Bashir Adam, a practicing lawyer, was arrested by police officers from Abuja while performing his professional duties in the presence of clients and bystanders. Despite identifying himself with valid identification from the NBA and his workplace, Adam was handcuffed and forcibly taken away.
He was later released after the officers, who had begun transporting him to Abuja, admitted they had acted on mistaken identity.
Just days later, on September 22, another lawyer, Uba Sani Hamza, was arrested at Norman’s Land Magistrate Court in Kano by operatives from the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Center. Hamza was reportedly detained due to having the same surname as a suspect accused of insulting government officials on social media and for having professional contact with a client under police investigation.
Hamza was subsequently transported to Abuja, sparking outrage within the legal community.
“These incidents are unacceptable,” said Usman Umar Fari, Chairman of the NBA Kano branch. “They are not only a violation of the rights of these individuals, but they also threaten the very foundation of legal practice and the rule of law in Nigeria.”
The NBA is calling on the Attorney General of the Federation to immediately intervene and hold the Inspector General of Police accountable for the actions of his officers. They also demanded the immediate release of Uba Sani Hamza and placed the responsibility for his safety and welfare squarely on the federal government.
“We will not stand by while our colleagues are harassed, humiliated, and treated like criminals for doing their jobs,” Fari declared. “The legal profession cannot thrive under fear and intimidation.”
The NBA has vowed to continue advocating for the rights of lawyers and the protection of constitutional freedoms across the country.
As of press time, the Nigeria Police Force has not issued a public statement in response to the NBA’s allegations.
