- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has on Thursday cautioned human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, against using the October 20 protest for the release of the Indigenous People of Biafra’s (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to undermine the ongoing court hearing and political solution to the matter.
NBA President, Mr Afam Osigwe (SAN) stated this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
NPO Reports that Sowore had planned to organise the protest tagged #FreeNnamdiKanu in demand for the separatist leaders release from detention amid health concerns.
The Sahara Reporters publisher ad begun mobilisation for what he called a planned peaceful protest in Abuja.
However, there have also been ongoing calls for political solution to Kanu’s trial who is facing alleged terrorism offence at the Federal High Court before Justice James Omotosho.
Reacting to the planned protest, Osigwe said though NBA respects the rights of every Nigerian to demonstrate, the judicial proceedings before the court should not be undermined.
“Let me just say that the NBA as an association respects the rights of every Nigerian to demonstrate.
“The right to demonstrate, in the view of the NBA, is part of the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association.
“Now, having said that, I also recognise that with respect to the subject matter of the demonstration, that there is presently a trial going on before the court.
“And the Nigerian Bar Association will, at all times, recognise that in such situations it becomes the duty of the police to provide protection for them to ensure that either the demonstration is not hijacked by hoodlums or that it does not degenerate and lead to break down of law and order.
“We must balance that against the issue of ensuring that the judicial processes which is going on before a court are not in any way undermined.
“We do not unwittingly, give an impression that the judiciary cannot be trusted to do justice to matters pending before the courts,” he said.
The senior lawyer said caution should be exercised so that the trial is not politicised or the ongoing efforts to apply political discourse is not jeopardised.
“I understand that the leaders from the South-East, governors, leaders of Ohanese, etc, are presently engaging with the Federal Government about finding a possible solution to this problem.
“And the demonstration should also work in such a way as not to undermine that process and to allow these political stakeholders and leaders of thought to manage that process,” he said.
According to him, the problem with having a mob, which is what sometimes a demonstration may degenerate to, is that you may know about the beginning but you may not be able to control it.
“I appreciate Sowore’s effort to see that a political solution is found for Kanu’s continued detention.
“And I share the sentiment that the government should work to ensure that he is released.
“But the process should be handled in such a way as not to allow people who may want to infiltrate such a thing to escalate it to a point that we may not be able to control it.
“So this process that is going on; the political leaders who are trying to find a solution should be given the opportunity to continue doing what they are doing, holding hand-in-hand, consultations with the government to find a political solution to the problem,” Osigwe said.
He said the best way to resolve the issue is through the ongoing engagement by leaders from the region, than through a protest.
“But that is not to say that I do not respect the rights of those who call for demonstration.
“But it is such a sensitive matter and that the processes should be done in such a manner as not to pose a security problem or to be hijacked by miscreants.
“I understand the court has adjourned the matter to next week,” he said, adding that things should be done in order not to worsened the situation.
“Which I fear that if a demonstration gets out of hand, it could lead to that,” he said.
Osigwe said there is a need to find more constructive ways of engaging the government to secure Kanu’s release.