Prince Makolomi’s re-arrest violates rule of law, lawyer insists

Counsel to Ughelli prince, Nicholas Makolomi, who allegedly shot the video of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) shooting of a boy that led to the #EndSARS protests across the country, Ekenemolise Emwanta Osifo, has faulted Makolomi’s re-arrest.

He argued that re-arresting Makolomi in spite of the Federal High Court ruling against his first arrest and detention amounted to gross violation of the rule of law, disregard for the courts and the judiciary by the Nigeria Police.

Osifo, who works for Obiora Law Firm in Asaba, Delta State, stated this yesterday at a media briefing after Prince Makolomi’s re-arrest, saying his re-arrest and continued detention was an attempt to intimidate and silence him, while concocting further negative stories to conceal police inefficiency and the truth.

“The truth is that Prince Makolomi actually observed and recorded an injustice being perpetuated and like what every right thinking Nigerian citizen would do, uploaded it to draw public attention to police brutality and to alert the police to the extrajudicial killings and unlawful acts of the officers.

“Considering the present insecurity and lawlessness in the country, the police attempt to cover their inefficiency is an unnecessary distraction. This move, instead of facing the real issues and the truth, is disgraceful and unwarranted,” he said.

Osifo alleged that the police re-arrested his client because he (Makolomi) drew their attention to extortion by one SP Sunday Nwaja, who demanded N500, 000 to give him a soft landing.

“To cover up their inadequacy and indiscipline in investigating the extortion, the police withdrew the pending matter from the Court and rearrested him.

“Presently, Makolomi has been taken to an undisclosed location and has been denied access to his medication or refreshment being an ulcer and asthmatic patient,” he added.

He demanded that the police should release Makolomi unconditionally, stop harassing him and respect the decision of the November 24, 2020 Federal High Court ruling in Asaba which declared his earlier arrest and detention illegal.