More than 50 armed mobile policemen under the command of Deputy Commissioner of Police, (operations), Lagos State Mr A. Mohammed presently lay siege on the NBA Ikeja secretariat seeking to arrest the NBA Ikeja branch Chairman, Mr Adesina Ogunlana.
The policemen fully armed manned the gate that leads to the Magistrate Court on the other side of the High Court complex where the NBA secretariat is located. They wear a menacing look. An attempt to take their photographs by this reporter was rebuffed with serious threats. They came into the premises at 4.30pm.
DCP Mohammed came with letter signed by the Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal asking him to report to the police.
The letter is with Ref No. AR:3000/LS/XS/ADM.2/Vol.27/. It is titled “Invitation Letter, Re: Case of Threat to Public Peace / Conduct likely to cause breach of peace”.
It reads: “This office is investigating the above mentioned case reported through a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Ikeja.;
In furtherance to my investigation, you are requested to report to the undersigned on the 28th of March, 2018 by 1900hrs through O/C “X” Squad, who has been detailed by the Commissioner of Police to investigate the case. Your co-operation in this regard will be highly appreciated please”.
The policemen came in more that 25 pick up vans.
The intention of the police is to prevent the protest the Ikeja lawyers have slated to come up tomorrow over the Land Use Charge law of Lagos State. The Chairman is right now serenaded in his office.
It would be recalled that the public hearing organised by the State House of Assembly turned rowdy yesterday as Mr. Adesina Ogunlana led team walked out of the sitting, insisting that the notice to submit their memorandum is too short.
The protest according to the NBA Chairman will hold at 2.00 p.m after the commissioning of a newly built bus terminal in Ikeja by President Muhammadu Buhari.
It is worthy of note that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had reduced the levies by fifty percent following the uproar that greeted the LUC but stakeholders are insisting the return to status quo.
The siege is still on as at the time of filing this report.
