The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has launched a pro bono legal assistance programme to protect those who might have their fundamental human rights violated by the ongoing hunger protests.
NBA President Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) , through the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Akorede Lawal, announced on Thursday that the association has issued directives to its 130 branch chairpersons to provide legal support in cases involving breaches of fundamental human rights during the protest.
Maikyau emphasized the importance of peaceful protest, urging participants to exercise restraint and civility during the demonstration.
He also called on law enforcement officials to maintain professionalism, uphold human rights, and exercise restraint in their interactions with protesters.
He also announced the creation of a situation monitoring committee to oversee the interactions between law enforcement agents and protesters.
The statement reads in part: “The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, has yesterday, July 31, 2024, directed all the Chairmen/Chairpersons of the 130 branches of the NBA to ensure that their respective Human Rights Committees take up observed or reported cases of breach of fundamental rights of any citizen, harassment, intimidation, or torture perpetrated by law enforcement agents, the protesters, or other identified members of the public in the course of the protest.
“Chairmen/chairpersons of NBA nranches have also been directed to set up Situation Monitoring Committees to monitor and report activities and interactions between law enforcement agents and protesters. To this end, an online monitoring form has been provided, and it can be accessed from the link https://rb.gy/q5xqg7.
“To ensure effective coordination of this endeavour, the NBA has established Legal Support Services Teams across the country, headed by the first Vice President of the NBA, Mrs. Linda Rose Bala; the Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, Mr. Steve Adehi (SAN); and the Chairman, NBA Human Rights Institute, Mr. Chinonye Obiagwu (SAN).
“The NBA President has also written to the Inspector General of Police to collaborate with the NBA in this regard.
“As the protest commences today, August 1, 2024, the NBA wishes to encourage citizens, including members of the NBA who are joining the protest, to exercise their rights peacefully and within the bounds of the law.
“The security agencies are also urged to be professional and observe human rights in their duty to enforce the law.”
The nationwide hunger protest across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which will run from August 1 to 10, aims to draw the government’s attention to the prevailing economic challenges and hardships being faced by Nigerians.
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