The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has announced free legal support services for individuals whose fundamental human rights may be violated during the ongoing hunger protest.
The association’s President, Yakubu Maikyau, has directed all 130 branch chairpersons to take up cases of human rights breaches, harassment, intimidation, or torture perpetrated by law enforcement agents or others.
A Situation Monitoring Committee has been established to monitor interactions between law enforcement agents and protesters, with an online monitoring form available for reporting incidents. The NBA has also set up Legal Support Services Teams across the country, headed by senior officials, to coordinate the effort.
The association has written to the Inspector General of Police to collaborate in ensuring the protection of human rights during the protest. The NBA urges protesters to exercise their rights peacefully and within the law, while also calling on security agencies to be professional and respectful of human rights.
The hunger protest, scheduled to take place in all 36 states and the FCT from August 1 to 10, aims to draw attention to the economic hardship faced by citizens. The NBA’s free legal support services aim to protect the rights of protesters and ensure accountability for any human rights violations.
