In a shocking display of lawlessness and impunity, suspected thugs allegedly loyal to the Deji of Akure, the traditional ruler of the Ondo State capital, have been accused of violently assaulting a prominent human rights lawyer and seizing personal property, while the Nigeria Police reportedly failed to intervene or arrest the accused parties.
The incident occurred earlier this week in Akure when Barrister Adeolu Falana, a respected advocate known for his public interest litigation and defense of vulnerable groups, was attacked by a group of men believed to be acting on the orders of a high-ranking palace chief. Eyewitnesses report that the lawyer sustained injuries during the assault and that valuable documents and electronic devices were forcefully taken from his possession.
According to multiple sources, the attack is linked to an ongoing land dispute in which the lawyer represents several local families challenging the alleged unlawful acquisition of ancestral lands by individuals closely associated with the traditional palace.
“This is not just an attack on me as a person,” said Barr. Falana during a press briefing. “It is an assault on the rule of law and the rights of citizens to seek redress through legal means. No one, not even a traditional institution, is above the Constitution of Nigeria.”
Alarmingly, despite formal complaints and public outcry, the Nigeria Police Force in Ondo State has yet to take decisive action. Reports suggest that a chief implicated in coordinating the assault remains free, allegedly shielded by palace influence and high-level connections within the police hierarchy.
Civic groups and legal bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), have condemned the incident and are calling for an independent investigation into the attack and the role of security forces in enabling impunity.