NBA Offers Free Legal Support For #EndBadGovernance Protesters Facing Rights Violations

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has offered free legal help to those whose rights might be violated during the #EndBadGovernance protests.

NBA President Yakubu Maikyau, in a statement on Thursday through the NBA National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, disclosed that directives have been sent out to all chairpersons of the 130 branches of the association to take up any case(s) of breach of fundamental human rights of persons involved in the protest.

Maikyau, however, urged protesters to remain peaceful and law enforcement to act professionally and respect human rights, stating that a Situation Monitoring Committee has been set up to monitor activities between law enforcement agents and protesters.

The statement read 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 right (s) 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 branches 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.

“Members of the SMC and other members of the NBA engaged in the monitoring exercise are encouraged to complete the form and submit it for NBA’s record and further action where necessary.”

The statement added that Legal Support Services Teams had been established nationwide to ensure effective coordination of this endeavour. The team include the Vice President of the NBA, Mrs Linda Rose Bala; the Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, Sir Steve Adehi (SAN); and the NBA Human Rights Institute Chairman, Mr. Chinonye Obiagwu (SAN).

It also noted that the NBA President has 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 right 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,” it said.

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