Politics
By Benprince Ezeh
THE Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has expressed its commitment to rule of law and right to civic expression.
In a letter to the association on July 6, Olumide Akpata, president NBA, disowns reports currently making the rounds, in which its 1st vice President was quoted, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari had the constitutional rights to crush seesionists agitators.
“My attention has been drawn to news reports, currently making the rounds, in which the 1st Vice President of the NBA, John Aikpokpo-Martins, was quoted as saying that the President of Nigeria is constitutionally bound to “crush” secessionist agitators in Nigeria.
“In response to the many enquiries I have so far received from members of the Association and indeed the general public, it has become necessary to state categorically that, as was affirmed in the said news report, the views expressed by the 1st Vice President are his personal views which he posted on his Facebook account in the course of an online exchange, and that the said views do not represent the position of the NBA on the subject.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NBA, as an association founded to defend the rule of law, will continue to champion and defend the rights of every Nigerian citizen and/or group including, inter-alia, the right to lawful and peaceful protest; the right to make lawful demands recognized under the Nigerian constitution or international charters applicable to Nigeria; and the right to enjoy the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise by a court of law in a free and fair trial that accords with the basic principles of natural justice,” Akpata said.
– July 7, 2021 @ 08:58 GMT | C.E
Tags: John Aikpokpo-Martins Nigerian Bar Association Olumide Akpata
