The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has declared that it will provide free legal help to those whose fundamental human rights may be violated during the ongoing hunger demonstrations.
In a statement published on Thursday by NBA President Yakubu Maikyau through NBA National Publicity Secretary Akorede Lawal, all chairpersons of the association’s 130 chapters were directed to handle any incidences of human rights abuses linked to the protest.
President Maikyau encouraged protesters to be peaceful and asked law enforcement officers to conduct themselves professionally while respecting human rights while on duty.
A situation monitoring committee has also been formed to oversee the interactions between law enforcement agents and demonstrators.
The statement read, “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 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.
“Members of the SMC and other members of the NBA engaged in the monitoring exercise are encouraged to complete the form and submit same for NBA’s record and further action where necessary.
“To ensure effective coordination of this endeavor, 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 NBA-SPIDEL, Sir 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 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.”
Allnews.ng had reported that from August 1 to August 10, there will be a hunger protest in each of the 36 states as well as the Federal Capital Territory. The intention is to make the government aware of the extreme financial challenges that residents are experiencing.