Legal Practitioner Seeks Court Intervention Over Alleged Abuse & Obstruction By Security Agencies At Federal High Court

A Nigerian legal practitioner, Sir Nkemakolam S.C. Okoro, has filed an affidavit in support of an application for the enforcement of his fundamental rights after allegedly being subjected to repeated abuse, humiliation, and obstruction by security agencies at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In the affidavit, Okoro outlined a series of incidents where he and other lawyers were obstructed by security operatives, including those of the Department of State Security Services (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Nigeria Police Force. Okoro claims that the security personnel routinely barricaded the court entrance, preventing access to the courtroom, subjecting him and others to inhuman treatment, and causing delays in legal proceedings.

The application, filed under Suit No: FCH/ABJ/CS/347/2025, seeks a declaration that the actions of the security agencies violate Okoro’s fundamental rights as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Okoro argues that the consistent and excessive security checks are not only humiliating but also unlawful, infringing on the right to access the court and causing undue delay in legal proceedings.

The affidavit details a particularly distressing event on February 10, 2025, when Okoro was forced to walk over one kilometer to the court due to barricades, despite carrying his legal paraphernalia. He was subjected to numerous security checks and threatened with arrest by the operatives, including being forced to stand for extended periods in degrading conditions. Okoro claims these actions have caused significant emotional and professional harm, including losing clients and facing unnecessary delays in court cases.

The legal practitioner has requested several remedies from the court, including a public apology from the security agencies involved, compensation for the violation of his rights, and an injunction to prevent further obstructions at the Federal High Court. He is seeking damages amounting to N100,000,000 for the humiliation and distress caused by these actions.

Okoro’s legal team hopes that the court will take swift action to ensure that such violations are addressed and that the right to access the courts remains unhindered, particularly for legal professionals who play a critical role in the judicial process.

This case underscores growing concerns regarding the overreach of security agencies and their impact on the legal system, highlighting the need for a balance between national security and the protection of fundamental rights, especially for those within the legal profession.

Key Requests in the Affidavit:

As the legal battle unfolds, the court’s decision will likely have significant implications for how security operations are conducted at judicial institutions in Nigeria.

The matter remains pending, with a hearing scheduled for a future date.