Nigerian legal luminary Afe Babalola (SAN) has been accused of using police intervention to arrest and detain a former employee, Bridget Omon Emengo, in 2021. The allegations surfaced following Emengo’s decision to sue the prominent lawyer for wrongful termination, violation of fundamental human rights, and defamation of character, as reported by Sahara Reporters.
In October 2021, Emengo detailed her ordeal on social media, accusing the police of acting on a petition allegedly instigated by Babalola and his firm, Afe Babalola & Co. According to Emengo, she was apprehended by officers from the Monitoring and Mentoring Unit (MMU) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command. The team, led by DSP Abel, presented a petition filed against her before detaining her.
Emengo revealed that despite being granted bail of ₦300,000 with two sureties, she was transported to Keffi Prison under unclear circumstances. However, prison officials reportedly refused to admit her, citing COVID-19 protocols requiring female inmates to be quarantined at Suleja Prisons.
When officers sought to amend the remand order at Magistrate Court 10 in Wuse Zone 6, her bail conditions were already fulfilled, and she was released.
The case, with suit number NICN/ABJ/29/2021, pits Emengo and her son against Afe Babalola and several senior advocates in his firm, including Adebayo Adenipekun, Olu Daramola, and Kehinde Olamide Ogwumiju.
Babalola’s firm, in a petition dated September 27, 2021, accused Emengo and her counsel of blackmail, fraudulent extortion, and false allegations, including claims of kidnap and assault. The petition also referenced a witness statement submitted by Emengo, which the firm claimed constituted perjury and defamation.
Emengo, however, argued that the petition was a tactic to circumvent the legal process, accusing the firm of leveraging police intervention instead of filing a defense in court.
According to Sahara Reporters, human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi also faced legal challenges following a petition by Babalola. Farotimi was detained and charged with criminal defamation after publishing a book titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, which alleged corruption involving the senior advocate.
Despite bail being granted by two courts, Farotimi remains in custody.
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Emengo’s arrest and detention have drawn public scrutiny, particularly among legal professionals. In her social media posts, she expressed gratitude to colleagues who supported her during the ordeal.
