An FCT Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Zone 6, Abuja, has ordered the remand of four alleged assailants, William Raymond, Jacob Fidelis, Sharon Alexander Chidera and Itoro Dominic Robert over alleged assault on a legal practitioner, Mr. Boluwaji Ajiki John, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Gwagwalada Branch.

The assailants are facing a-six count charge of voluntarily causing grievous hurt without provocation, assault/criminal force without provocation, criminal intimidation, mischief and defamation.

The Chief Magistrate, Emmanuel Iyanna, who presided over the case ordered that the defendants be remanded in Keffi Correctional Centre pending the court’s decision on their bail application. The order came upon the objection to grant of bail by the Police Prosecutor, Inspector Donatus Abah of the FCT Police Command, Legal Unit.

The chief magistrate, thereafter, adjourned the matter until the 7th of July 2025.

The prosecutor, Inspector Abbah had earlier told the court that, “On the 17th of June, 2025, the FCT Commissioner of Police was informed by one Barrister Ajiki Boluwaji John of Gwagwalada Abuja that on the said date at about 12 noon, he went to Tilemi Plaza located at Gudu, Abuja to serve a Process on Mr. William Raymond but all of a sudden and without any provocation, the defendants jointly attacked him, mercilessly assaulted and dislocated his hand, beat and flung him to the floor, destroyed his GSM phone, threatened that he will be killed, and defamed his character by shouting to the public that he is a kidnapper and a fake lawyer among others.

“That all his explanations and pleadings fell on deaf ears as the assault on him continued until the police came to his rescue”

Shortly after the hearing came to a close, the Secretary of the NBA Litigation Committee, Mr. Isah Abubakar Aliyu, while addressing the press, thanked members of NBA and the public at large who sacrificed their time since the day the incident occurred, just as he assured them that justice would be served in the case. He equally pledged the readiness of the NBA under the leadership of Afam Osigwe, SAN to pursue the case to a logical conclusion.

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, the Secretary of NBA Gwagwalada Branch, Mr. John Adewakun wrote: “The NBA Gwagwalada  Branch under the leadership of Owhor Clever, Esq. appreciates the Nigeria Police Force, most especially the FCT Command, for the professionalism inputted during the course of investigation and the eventual arraignment. We also appreciate the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam OSigwe, SAN; the NBA National Litigation Committee; the members of the NBA Gwagwalada Branch and all other concerned members of the Legal Profession who have ensured that this barbaric act on our member and colleague was not swept under the carpet.

“As earlier vowed, we shall ensure that our colleague gets justice; we shall ensure that justice prevails as we progress with this matter. Thank you all for your cooperation and support.”

Mr. Ajiki Boluwaji John particularly appreciated his colleagues at the Bar for their unwavering support since the occurrence of the incident for standing by him throughout the trying period.

Recall that John is a member of the Gwagwalada Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association.

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