The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has established Legal Support Services Teams nationwide to provide free legal assistance to protesters whose fundamental rights may be violated during the nationwide protests that began Thursday morning.
NBA President Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) has instructed all chairpersons of the 130 branches to ensure their human rights committees address any observed or reported violations of fundamental rights, harassment, intimidation, or torture by law enforcement agents, protesters, or other members of the public during the protests.
Branch chairpersons are also tasked with forming situation monitoring committees to oversee and report on interactions between law enforcement agents and protesters.
Additionally, the NBA has created an online monitoring form for individuals whose rights are breached to complete. Members of the monitoring committees and other NBA members involved in the monitoring effort are encouraged to fill out and submit the form for NBA records and further action if needed.
To coordinate this effort effectively, the NBA’s Legal Support Services Teams will be led by the 1st Vice President, 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.
The NBA President has also reached out to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to collaborate with the NBA on this initiative.
The NBA has further urged citizens, including its own members participating in the protest, to exercise their rights peacefully and legally, while also calling on security agencies to act professionally and uphold human rights in their law enforcement duties.