The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) has issued directives to the chairpersons of the association’s 130 branches. They are to ensure their human rights committees address any instances of fundamental rights violations, harassment, intimidation, or torture by law enforcement agents, protesters, or other individuals during protests.
To facilitate this, branch chairpersons must establish situation monitoring committees. These committees are responsible for overseeing and reporting interactions between law enforcement agents and protesters.
The NBA has also launched an online monitoring form. Individuals whose rights have been violated can fill out this form, and members of the monitoring committees, along with other NBA members engaged in the monitoring, are encouraged to complete and submit the form for the NBA’s records and any necessary actions.
For effective coordination, the NBA’s Legal Support Services Teams will be led by the 1st Vice President of the association, Mrs. Linda Rose Bala; the Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, Sir Steve Adehi, SAN; and the Chairman of the NBA Human Rights Institute, Mr. Chinonye Obiagwu, SAN.
Additionally, the NBA President has written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, seeking collaboration with the NBA on this matter.
The NBA is also calling on citizens, including its members who join the protests, to exercise their rights peacefully and within the boundaries of the law. Simultaneously, it urges security agencies to act professionally and respect human rights while performing their duties.
