Abuja Businessman Denies Assaulting Lawyer Amid NBA Accusations

A Nigerian businessman, Williams Raymond, has refuted allegations made by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gwagwalada Branch, accusing him of orchestrating an attack on a legal practitioner, Ajiki John Boluwaji, and detaining another individual unlawfully.

The NBA had earlier claimed that Raymond sponsored some individuals to physically assault Boluwaji when the lawyer visited his business premises at Apo Market Junction, Abuja, to serve a demand letter in relation to the alleged unlawful detention of Lekan Adewole. Adewole was said to have been held in connection with the disappearance of Raymond’s 17-year-old son, Adam, nearly two weeks ago.

In a statement to the press on Wednesday, Raymond rejected the claims, asserting that the lawyer acted provocatively during the visit. According to him, Boluwaji was dressed unprofessionally and verbally attacked him after he insisted on having his lawyer review the demand letter before responding.

“He wasn’t even dressed like a lawyer. He wore slippers,” Raymond said. “I told him I would wait for my lawyer before signing or acknowledging the letter. But instead of respecting that, he began insulting me and calling me names. He behaved like I was his child.”

Raymond further alleged that it was Boluwaji who escalated the confrontation and even assaulted a nearby shop owner, Itoro Dominic Robert, who stepped in to calm the situation.

He clarified that Boluwaji’s phone was neither seized nor was he stopped from calling for assistance. “The person who assaulted him was a passerby, and he has since been detained by authorities,” Raymond added.

The incident, now drawing wider attention due to NBA’s involvement, highlights growing tensions surrounding the handling of the teenager’s disappearance and subsequent legal actions.