The Ilorin Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the alleged assault and harassment of one of its members, Aladodo Abdullateef Nurudeen, Esq., by officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on April 10, 2026, has sparked outrage within the legal community, with the NBA describing the conduct of the officers as unlawful and unbecoming of a law enforcement agency.
According to a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of NBA Ilorin Branch, SMH Kosemani Esq., and the Branch Secretary, OD Jimoh Esq., the lawyer, who serves as the Provost of the branch, had visited the NSCDC office in Ilorin in his professional capacity to attend to a client invited by the agency’s Intelligence Department.
Read the full statement below
ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT OF A LEGAL PRACTITIONER BY OFFICERS OF THE NSCDC, KWARA STATE COMMAND
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kwara State Command, has once again engaged in conduct unbecoming of a law enforcement agency. Today, 10th April, 2026, Aladodo Abdullateef Nurudeen, Esq., the Provost of the Ilorin Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), visited the NSCDC office in Ilorin in his professional capacity to attend to a client who was invited by its Intelligence Department.
Upon arrival, he alighted from his vehicle at about the same time the State Commandant was entering his office premises. Officers on ground were instructed to remain standing as a matter of internal protocol. Aladodo Abdullateef Nurudeen, who was not subject to such internal directives and had no knowledge about it, moved to stand under a nearby tree close to where he had parked his vehicle. This harmless act was allegedly construed as misconduct by an officer Ajayi Williams Gbolahan nicknamed “Tallest”, who proceeded to confront, harass, and physically assault him.
Despite clearly identifying himself as a legal practitioner, the assault continued unabated. He was reportedly dragged into a room where he was further brutalized and assaulted by multiple officers. Disturbingly, the State Commandant, who was present, condoned or at least failed to prevent this unlawful conduct.
Following the incident, the victim reported the matter to the NBA Secretariat. Senior members of the Bar accompanied him to the NSCDC office to identify the officers involved. Rather than addressing the complaint, officers dismissed the concerns, asserting that the NBA could take no action against them.
This conduct represents a blatant violation of fundamental rights, an assault on the dignity and independence of the legal profession, and a pattern of harassment of lawyers by the Kwara State Command.
The NBA Ilorin Branch will not treat this incident lightly. A formal petition will be submitted to the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, detailing the unprofessional and unlawful actions of the officers involved. Furthermore, upon proper identification of other officers responsible, the Association will pursue both civil and criminal action to ensure accountability.
The rule of law must be respected by all, especially those entrusted with its enforcement.
Signed:
SMH Kosemani Esq.
Chairman, NBA Ilorin Branch
OD Jimoh Esq.
Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch