Friday, May 9, 2025
The Lagos Today
  • Login
  • Home
  • Tech
    NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

    NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

    Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

    Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

    South Africa’s CureRoot Leverages AI to Unlock New Medicines from African Medicinal Plants

    South Africa’s CureRoot Leverages AI to Unlock New Medicines from African Medicinal Plants

    SA’s Peach Payments Expands into Francophone Africa with PayDunya Acquisition

    SA’s Peach Payments Expands into Francophone Africa with PayDunya Acquisition

    Egypt’s Enza Secures $6.75M to Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa

    Egypt’s Enza Secures $6.75M to Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa

    South African Prop-Tech Startup Preferental Unveils Innovative Tenant-Screening App

    South African Prop-Tech Startup Preferental Unveils Innovative Tenant-Screening App

    LoftyInc Capital Secures $43 Million for First Close of New Pan-African Seed Fund

    LoftyInc Capital Secures $43 Million for First Close of New Pan-African Seed Fund

    Stitch Teams Up with Standard Bank’s Shyft for Instant Wallet Top-Ups in South Africa

    Stitch Teams Up with Standard Bank’s Shyft for Instant Wallet Top-Ups in South Africa

    Kenya Takes Action Against TikTok Following Child Exploitation Exposé

    Kenya Takes Action Against TikTok Following Child Exploitation Exposé

  • Startups⚡ by CRAWL
    NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

    NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

    Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

    Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

    South Africa’s CureRoot Leverages AI to Unlock New Medicines from African Medicinal Plants

    South Africa’s CureRoot Leverages AI to Unlock New Medicines from African Medicinal Plants

    Kenyan Tourism Venture Studio Purple Elephant Ventures Increases Seed Round to $5 Million

    Kenyan Tourism Venture Studio Purple Elephant Ventures Increases Seed Round to $5 Million

    SA’s Peach Payments Expands into Francophone Africa with PayDunya Acquisition

    SA’s Peach Payments Expands into Francophone Africa with PayDunya Acquisition

    Egypt’s Enza Secures $6.75M to Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa

    Egypt’s Enza Secures $6.75M to Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa

    GIIG Partners with SparkRockets to Launch AI-Powered Startup Validation Tool

    GIIG Partners with SparkRockets to Launch AI-Powered Startup Validation Tool

    Tanzania’s Kilimo BaNDO Revolutionizes Agriculture for Smallholder Farmers

    Tanzania’s Kilimo BaNDO Revolutionizes Agriculture for Smallholder Farmers

    South African Prop-Tech Startup Preferental Unveils Innovative Tenant-Screening App

    South African Prop-Tech Startup Preferental Unveils Innovative Tenant-Screening App

    LoftyInc Capital Secures $43 Million for First Close of New Pan-African Seed Fund

    LoftyInc Capital Secures $43 Million for First Close of New Pan-African Seed Fund

  • Opinion
  • Business
  • Biotech
  • Industry
    iPhone 16 Sales Surge 20% in China, Signaling a Strong Comeback

    iPhone 16 Sales Surge 20% in China, Signaling a Strong Comeback

    Grid Africa Secures $2.8 Million for Renewable Energy Initiatives in South Africa

    Grid Africa Secures $2.8 Million for Renewable Energy Initiatives in South Africa

    Millennials and Gen Z Show Shorter Tenures Despite Clear Career Paths, New Report Shows

    Millennials and Gen Z Show Shorter Tenures Despite Clear Career Paths, New Report Shows

    Kenya’s Octavia Secures $3.9M Seed Funding to Tackle Carbon Emissions

    Kenya’s Octavia Secures $3.9M Seed Funding to Tackle Carbon Emissions

  • Features & Interviews
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Art & Design
    • Books
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Sports
    Pick n Pay Set to List Boxer Business in Africa’s Largest IPO of 2024

    Pick n Pay Set to List Boxer Business in Africa’s Largest IPO of 2024

    One Direction Star Liam Payne Dies after Hotel Balcony Fall

    One Direction Star Liam Payne Dies after Hotel Balcony Fall

    It’s important to set boundaries in entertainment industry – Reminisce

    It’s important to set boundaries in entertainment industry – Reminisce

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Ready to Face Lions of Cameroon on Saturday – Peseiro

    Flying Eagles moves to Ikenne for camping in prep for 2024 WAFU B U20 Championship in Togo

    EGUAVOEN APPOINTED NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

    Eguavoen gives conditions for turning Super Eagles interim job to full time role

    Jagun Jagun secures 7 nominations at 2024 AMAA

    Jagun Jagun secures 7 nominations at 2024 AMAA

    Atiku Faults 2020 Budget Review, Urges FG to Prioritize Welfare of Citizens

    Atiku proposes single term of 6-years rotational Presidency

    Oba Elegushi donates 3 standard tennis courts to LASU, reveal reasons behind donation

    Oba Elegushi donates 3 standard tennis courts to LASU, reveal reasons behind donation

    Covid-19: Cinema Operators Decry N22Bn Losses

    FG grants licensing waiver for community cinemas investors – NFVCB

  • Reviews
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tech
    NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

    NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

    Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

    Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

    South Africa’s CureRoot Leverages AI to Unlock New Medicines from African Medicinal Plants

    South Africa’s CureRoot Leverages AI to Unlock New Medicines from African Medicinal Plants

    SA’s Peach Payments Expands into Francophone Africa with PayDunya Acquisition

    SA’s Peach Payments Expands into Francophone Africa with PayDunya Acquisition

    Egypt’s Enza Secures $6.75M to Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa

    Egypt’s Enza Secures $6.75M to Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa

    South African Prop-Tech Startup Preferental Unveils Innovative Tenant-Screening App

    South African Prop-Tech Startup Preferental Unveils Innovative Tenant-Screening App

    LoftyInc Capital Secures $43 Million for First Close of New Pan-African Seed Fund

    LoftyInc Capital Secures $43 Million for First Close of New Pan-African Seed Fund

    Stitch Teams Up with Standard Bank’s Shyft for Instant Wallet Top-Ups in South Africa

    Stitch Teams Up with Standard Bank’s Shyft for Instant Wallet Top-Ups in South Africa

    Kenya Takes Action Against TikTok Following Child Exploitation Exposé

    Kenya Takes Action Against TikTok Following Child Exploitation Exposé

  • Startups⚡ by CRAWL
    NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

    NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

    Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

    Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

    South Africa’s CureRoot Leverages AI to Unlock New Medicines from African Medicinal Plants

    South Africa’s CureRoot Leverages AI to Unlock New Medicines from African Medicinal Plants

    Kenyan Tourism Venture Studio Purple Elephant Ventures Increases Seed Round to $5 Million

    Kenyan Tourism Venture Studio Purple Elephant Ventures Increases Seed Round to $5 Million

    SA’s Peach Payments Expands into Francophone Africa with PayDunya Acquisition

    SA’s Peach Payments Expands into Francophone Africa with PayDunya Acquisition

    Egypt’s Enza Secures $6.75M to Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa

    Egypt’s Enza Secures $6.75M to Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa

    GIIG Partners with SparkRockets to Launch AI-Powered Startup Validation Tool

    GIIG Partners with SparkRockets to Launch AI-Powered Startup Validation Tool

    Tanzania’s Kilimo BaNDO Revolutionizes Agriculture for Smallholder Farmers

    Tanzania’s Kilimo BaNDO Revolutionizes Agriculture for Smallholder Farmers

    South African Prop-Tech Startup Preferental Unveils Innovative Tenant-Screening App

    South African Prop-Tech Startup Preferental Unveils Innovative Tenant-Screening App

    LoftyInc Capital Secures $43 Million for First Close of New Pan-African Seed Fund

    LoftyInc Capital Secures $43 Million for First Close of New Pan-African Seed Fund

  • Opinion
  • Business
  • Biotech
  • Industry
    iPhone 16 Sales Surge 20% in China, Signaling a Strong Comeback

    iPhone 16 Sales Surge 20% in China, Signaling a Strong Comeback

    Grid Africa Secures $2.8 Million for Renewable Energy Initiatives in South Africa

    Grid Africa Secures $2.8 Million for Renewable Energy Initiatives in South Africa

    Millennials and Gen Z Show Shorter Tenures Despite Clear Career Paths, New Report Shows

    Millennials and Gen Z Show Shorter Tenures Despite Clear Career Paths, New Report Shows

    Kenya’s Octavia Secures $3.9M Seed Funding to Tackle Carbon Emissions

    Kenya’s Octavia Secures $3.9M Seed Funding to Tackle Carbon Emissions

  • Features & Interviews
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Art & Design
    • Books
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Sports
    Pick n Pay Set to List Boxer Business in Africa’s Largest IPO of 2024

    Pick n Pay Set to List Boxer Business in Africa’s Largest IPO of 2024

    One Direction Star Liam Payne Dies after Hotel Balcony Fall

    One Direction Star Liam Payne Dies after Hotel Balcony Fall

    It’s important to set boundaries in entertainment industry – Reminisce

    It’s important to set boundaries in entertainment industry – Reminisce

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Ready to Face Lions of Cameroon on Saturday – Peseiro

    Flying Eagles moves to Ikenne for camping in prep for 2024 WAFU B U20 Championship in Togo

    EGUAVOEN APPOINTED NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

    Eguavoen gives conditions for turning Super Eagles interim job to full time role

    Jagun Jagun secures 7 nominations at 2024 AMAA

    Jagun Jagun secures 7 nominations at 2024 AMAA

    Atiku Faults 2020 Budget Review, Urges FG to Prioritize Welfare of Citizens

    Atiku proposes single term of 6-years rotational Presidency

    Oba Elegushi donates 3 standard tennis courts to LASU, reveal reasons behind donation

    Oba Elegushi donates 3 standard tennis courts to LASU, reveal reasons behind donation

    Covid-19: Cinema Operators Decry N22Bn Losses

    FG grants licensing waiver for community cinemas investors – NFVCB

  • Reviews
No Result
View All Result
The Lagos Today
No Result
View All Result
Home World News

Duty Solicitor Dele Johnson Restrained by Court Security Staff Despite Plea that He Couldn’t Breathe: Lawyers Consider Boycott

by Julius Afolalu
May 6, 2024
in World News
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
0
Duty Solicitor Dele Johnson Restrained by Court Security Staff Despite Plea that He Couldn’t Breathe: Lawyers Consider Boycott
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A duty solicitor recounted a harrowing experience where he was restrained by “four or five” court security staff, despite his plea that he couldn’t breathe.

Defence solicitor Dele Johnson, speaking with The Law Society Gazette, described how guards pinned him down with their knees after he refused a security search request to remove his shoes.

The incident took place as Johnson was fulfilling his duties in the Youth Court at Stratford Magistrates’ on Wednesday, May 1.

He told the Gazette he thought “for about 30 seconds that I was in danger.”

Johnson, 37, drew a parallel between his experience and the tragic incident involving George Floyd, whose death at the hands of Minneapolis police ignited the Black Lives Matter movement.

“I never thought I’d also be saying ‘I can’t breathe’,” said Mr Johnson. “I was just trying to do my job.”

The London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association has raised concerns, stating that lawyers may boycott the court if the guards allegedly involved in the assault on Johnson are not suspended by the private company OCS.

Johnson’s identification card was checked upon his arrival as a duty youth court solicitor on Wednesday.

Following a brief exit from the building for a cigarette break, he consented to a pat-down search upon his return but refused to remove his shoes, leading to an altercation with four guards who forcibly removed him.

Despite having a defendant awaiting his representation, Johnson attempted to re-enter the building through a side door, only to be intercepted by “four or five” guards.

During the court proceedings, Johnson stated that security personnel had entered the courtroom. He had a feeling that this was probably related to him.

After the court proceedings, Johnson exited the courtroom and engaged in discussions with fellow representatives.

Upon his arrival, he was denied entry by the security personnel.

Johnson said, “One of the security officers blocked me while I tried to go to court number 10.”

Johnson, who used the second door to attempt entry, added, “He pushed me and I said “What are you doing?”. I tried to go through the other door, and he pushed me and said “You’re not going in”. Then somebody grabbed me by the neck, another person grabbed my arm.”

Johnson said, at this point, “four or five” guards grabbed him.

He said, “I was saying “you need to let me go” but it got worse. I said, “If you do not let go of me, I will have to defend myself”. I started swinging. I felt like I was fighting for my life against five grown men to stop them from holding me and grabbing me.

“Eventually, they got me on the ground, and it hurt a little bit. There were quite a few grown men on my back. Their knees were on my arms, legs, and back.

“I have asthma, my chest was being pushed to the floor so now I am struggling to breathe.

“I never thought I would be the one saying “I cannot breathe”.

“I was just trying to do my job. It was my duty to be there.”

According to Johnson, he couldn’t recall the exact moment when the security guards released him from the ground, but he did remember that the presence of the police at the court put an end to the situation.

The incident occurred two weeks after defence solicitor Katie McFadden disclosed on X.com that court security personnel in the Stratford Magistrate insisted on conducting invasive pat-down searches, including feeling under her dress.

McFadden tweeted that during one search earlier this year, security staff felt “my legs all of the way under my dress up to my groin.”

The controversy arises amid protests from female lawyers over highly invasive ‘pat-down’ searches at Stratford Magistrates’ Court in East London, Daily Mail reports.

A barrister, who requested anonymity, informed The Mail on Sunday that security personnel at the court exhibit behaviour akin to “nightclub bouncers”.

Another barrister remarked, “Some are thinking of a boycott here.”

Daily Mail reports that His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service, an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice, has reacted to the situation.

“These are serious complaints we are urgently investigating as a priority. Our security measures are designed to protect all court users and are under constant review,” he said.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • X

Like this:

Like Loading...
Tags: Dele JohnsonStratford Magistrates’UKUnited Kingdom
Previous Post

Ikeja Electric Announces Tariff Reduction for Band A Customers

Next Post

Interest Rate Hikes by CBN Cause 193.3% Increase in Borrowing Costs for Manufacturers

Julius Afolalu

Julius Afolalu

Related Posts

The Global Innovation Race: Can Africa Afford to Move Slowly?

by Iyanu Ale
March 3, 2025
0

Africa has long lagged behind the rest of the world in economic development, with an economy smaller than India’s and...

Ethiopia’s Digital Stock Exchange Revolutionizes Trading

Ethiopia’s Digital Stock Exchange Revolutionizes Trading

by Iyanu Ale
January 13, 2025
0

The launch of Ethiopia's first stock exchange in 50 years marks a significant milestone in the country's economic development. This...

Next Post
BUA to Maintain N3,500/Bag Cement Price from January  2024

Interest Rate Hikes by CBN Cause 193.3% Increase in Borrowing Costs for Manufacturers

Please login to join discussion

Recommended

Biden announces $75m for Africa electoral authorities

US Takes Action to Expedite Employment-Based Nonimmigrant Visas for College Graduates

10 months ago
Serena Williams to retire after US Open after 27 years and $450 million in earnings

Serena Williams to retire after US Open after 27 years and $450 million in earnings

3 years ago

Popular News

    Connect with us

    Tags

    #EndSARS 2023 Elections 2023 polls 2023 Presidency ACCIDENT Africa All progressives Congress APC Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Babajide Sanwo-Olu CBN Central Bank of NIgeria Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Coronavirus pandemic Covid-19 Covid-19 in Lagos Covid-19 in Nigeria Covid-19 Vaccine Cryptocurrency Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC Federal Government Federal Government of Nigeria Fraud Gov. Sanwo-Olu House of Representatives Lagos-Ibadan expressway Lagos state Lagos State Government Lagos State House of Assembly Lagos State Police command Muhammadu Buhari Murder Naira NDLEA Nigeria Nigeria Customs Service Nigerian Economy Nigeria Police Force Rape Strike action TECH UK United Kingdom US

    News

    • Industries
    • National
    • Startups
    • Biotechnology

    Opinion

    • Editorials
    • Today’s Opinion
    • Letters
    • Sunday Review
    • Advertise
    • Opinion
    • Features & Interviews
    • Investigation
    • Contact

    © 2020 The Lagos Today - Nkali.

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password?

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In
    No Result
    View All Result
    • Tech
    • Business
    • Biotech
    • Startups
    • Entertainment
    • Feature & Interviews
    • Reviews
    • Opinion

    © 2020 The Lagos Today - Nkali.

    %d