The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has initiated free legal support services for anyone whose fundamental human rights may be violated during the ongoing hunger protest. NBA President Yakubu Maikyau, through National Publicity Secretary Akorede Lawal, announced that directives have been issued to all chairpersons of the 130 branches to handle any cases of rights breaches involving protesters.
Maikyau urged participants to protest peacefully and called on law enforcement agents to act professionally and respect human rights. Additionally, the NBA has formed a situation monitoring committee to oversee interactions between law enforcement and protesters, ensuring any incidents are reported and addressed promptly.
The statement outlined that each branch's Human Rights Committees are tasked with addressing any harassment, intimidation, or torture by law enforcement, protesters, or other individuals during the protest. An online monitoring form has been made available for reporting such incidents, ensuring systematic documentation and follow-up.
To coordinate the efforts, the NBA has established Legal Support Services Teams across the country, led by key officials including the NBA's First Vice President and the Chairman of the NBA Human Rights Institute. The protest, spanning all 36 states and the FCT, aims to highlight the economic hardships faced by citizens and will run from August 1 to August 10.
