Nationwide Protest: NBA Sets Up Pro Bono Legal Services for Protesters

By Julius Bren

In recognition of the fundamental and constitutional rights of citizens to assemble and protest, the NBA President Yakubu Maikyau, has directed all Chairmen/Chairpersons of NBA Branches to ensure that their respective Human Rights Committees take up cases of breach of fundamental right(s) of any citizen during the hunger protest.

The NBA through her National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, disclosed that directives have been sent out to all the 130 branches nationwide to that effect. The essence is to guard against harassment, intimidation or torture by any law enforcement agent, the protesters or other identified members of the public.

The NBA President however advised participants to go about the protest peacefully while he urged law enforcement agents to be professional and respect the human rights of others in the discharge of their duty.

He also noted that a situation monitoring committee has been set up to monitor activities between law enforcement agents and protesters. “To ensure effective coordination of this endeavor, the NBA has established Legal Support Services Teams across the country headed 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).”

He has also written to the Inspector General of Police to collaborate with the NBA in this regard.

Geared towards bringing government’s attention to the economic hardship currently being faced by its citizens the hunger protest is holding in all 36 states of the country and the FCT for 10 days starts today, August 1, 2024.