The Nigerian Bar Association has condemned the unlawful arrest of peaceful protesters by the Nigerian Police at Lekki Toll Gate on Saturday.
This was made known by its President, Olumide Akpata hours after the arrest, revealing that the Association was working to ensure the release of those detained.
Recall that Nigerian youths converged at the Lekki Toll Gate to protest the reopening of the toll gate and denying victims justice, months after the Nigerian military and police killed unarmed protesters on the 20th of October, 2020.
He wrote, ‘The images & footages of the unlawful actions of the Nigerian Police at the Lekki Tollgate Lagos are truly shocking. The @NigBarAssoc condemns the brazen disrespect for the fundamental rights of unarmed citizens who are merely exercising their rights to peaceful protests.
We are currently working together with members of our Association to ensure the release of those detained. At the moment, we understand that the detainees are spread across Panti, Adeniji and Ikeja Police Stations and that they are currently being denied access to their Lawyers.
This is unacceptable and we call on the Police to immediately release them or allow them unhindered access to their lawyers. For Protesters who do not have legal representation, the @NigBarAssoc is setting up a team of volunteer lawyers who will immediately represent them.’
