NBA boss blasts police, moves to secure release of Lekki tollgate protesters
- The NBA is irked by the arrest of #OccupyLekkiTollgate protesters by police officers on Saturday, February 13
- The association's president, Olumide Apata, referred to the act by the force as unlawful
- Apata also called on the command to immediately release all protesters in its custody
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The leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is appalled at what it described as shocking and unlawful actions by police officials against #OccupyLekkiTollgate protesters in Lagos on Saturday, February 13.
The president of the NBA, Olumide Apata, in his tweet revealed that the association is currently working with legal practitioners to ensure the release of arrested protesters.
Apata said the NBA is aware of the fact that detainees are in Panti, Adeniji, and Ikeja stations, alleging also that they are being denied access to their lawyers.
Source: UGC
He went on to call on the force to immediately release those arrested and allow them to consult their lawyers.
Moreover, the NBA boss said the body is working to set up a team of volunteer lawyers who will represent those who have no legal representatives.
His stated:
“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 totally 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 NBA is setting up a team of volunteer lawyers who will immediately represent them.”
Meanwhile, Bashir Salihi Magashi, the minister of defence on Saturday, February 13, sent a strong warning to the protesters.
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Magashi said security personnel will not sit back and observe violence and the vandalisation of both public and private properties by hoodlums who perpetrate crimes in the guise of EndSARS2 protesters.
Onyirioha Nnamdi is a graduate of Literature and English Language at the University of Lagos. He is a Politics/Current Affairs Editor who writes on news and political topics for Legit.ng. He brings into his reporting a wealth of experience in creative and analytical writing. Nnamdi has a major interest in local and global politics.
Source: Legit.ng
