- By Kamil Opeyemi
“Chairmen/Chairpersons of NBA Branches have also been directed to set up Situation Monitoring Committees (SMC) to monitor and report activities and interactions between Law Enforcement Agents and Protesters.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), directed all the Chairmen/Chairpersons of the 130 Branches of the NBA to ensure that their respective Human Rights Committees take up cases of breach of fundamental rights of any citizens during the nationwide hunger protests opening today.
NBA President Yakubu Maikyau, listed harassment, intimidation or torture perpetrated by law enforcement agents as cases that will be takenup free by its members.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Habeeb Akorede, National Publicity Secretary of the NBA made available to the NPO Reports on Thursday.
“Chairmen/Chairpersons of NBA Branches have also been directed to set up Situation Monitoring Committees (SMC) 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,” the statement said
To ensure an effective coordination of this endeavour, the NBA said it has established Legal Support Services Teams across the country.
The association said the team is headed by the 1st 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.
NBA said, “As the protest commences today, 1 August 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.”
NPO Reports that Nigerians are protesting against worsening state of the economy leading to acute hunger among citizens.
The announcement of the removal of fuel subsidy on the day of swearing in of President Bola Tinubu has ignited a wave of economic crisis.
The government has insisted that the removal became imperative to strengthen the economy.
The organised labour have insisted that the decision has caused hardship with prices of goods and services going beyond the reach of common people.