The Nigerian Bar Association has established free legal services for anyone whose fundamental human rights may be violated as a result of the current hunger strike.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the NBA National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, the association’s President, Yakubu Maikyau, stated that directives have been sent to all chairpersons of the association’s 130 branches to investigate any cases of violations of fundamental human rights of protest participants.
He did, however, advise participants to carry out the protest peacefully, and he urged law enforcement personnel to be professional and respect the human rights of others in the course of their duties.
He also stated that a situation monitoring committee has been established to monitor interactions between law enforcement officers and protesters.
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, protesters, or other identified members of the public in the course of the protest.
“Chairmen/chairpersons of NBA branches have also been asked to form Situation Monitoring Committees to monitor and report on law enforcement officers’ encounters with demonstrators. To this aim, an online monitoring form has been created and can be viewed at 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 the same for NBA’s record and further action where necessary.”
“To ensure effective coordination of this endeavour, the NBA has established Legal Support Services Teams across the country led 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 requested that the Inspector General of Police assist with the NBA in this regard.
“As the demonstration begins today, August 1, 2024, the NBA wishes to encourage citizens, including NBA members who are participating in the protest, to use their rights peacefully and in accordance with the law. Security agencies are also asked to be professional and respect human rights in their obligation to enforce the law.
The hunger strike is set to take place in all 36 states, including the FCT, beginning today, August 1, and continuing until August 10.
The protest is intended to call the government’s attention to the economic suffering that its citizens are currently experiencing.