The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olumide Akpata, set up a task force to intervene and interface with the Edo State Police command over the release of the 19 #endsars protesters arrested in Ekpoma and later transferred to the General Investigation Unit and some other protesters arrested within Benin metropolis by Anti cultism Unit.
The EndSARS campaign currently taking full swing across Nigeria has been met with very stiff resistance from the police who have continued to justify the basis upon which agitations of the Nigerian youths are founded.
Peaceful protesters have been shot at, killed, detained, tortured and charged to court on illegal holding charges.
Edo State is not left out of the nationwide campaign to genuinely end the brutal and extortionists police unit.
Consequently, peaceful protesters in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State who were alledged to have destroyed government properties, and alledged to have attacked/ injured police men. The said protesters were arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department at the Police Command Headquarters of Edo State, located in Benin City.
The youths numbering 19 were detained for two days, while others arrested within Upper Sakponba and other areas within Benin.
This ugly development led to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Olumide Akpata, who mandated the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Benin branch Pius Oiwoh, Esq, The Special Assistant to the National President, Mr. Ogaga Emoghwanre, Esq and the Chairman of the public Defenders Committee Mr. Mathew Edaghase. This Committee was led by an egghead, the Hon. Attorney General of Edo State and the commissioner of Justice Hon. Prof. Yinka Omorogbe.
They eloquently intervened and ensured the release of the protesters. Upon the mandate of the President of the NBA, Mr. Olumide Akpata, Esq.
At the meeting, the delegation engaged the Commissioner of Police, Edo State command in very serious discussions that lasted for over 3 hours. The Hon. Attorney General reiterated the fact that the right to protest is constitutionally guaranteed and persuaded the Commissioner of Police to release the detained protesters. The Commissioner of Police on his part agreed to release all the protesters whom could be verified as genuine peaceful protesters.
The NBA’s intervention in this matter has reassured members of the NBA, the public and Nigerians that their constitutionally guaranteed rights to protest is sacrosanct.
The NBA, remains vigilant in the campaign and promises to closely monitor and protect the rights of lawyers and Nigerians in general, so as to ensure that intending protesters are not unjustly punished.
Regards,
Ogaga Emoghwanre,
Publicity Secretary, NBA Benin.
