Nnamdi Kanu protest: Don’t undermine judicial, political processes – NBA warns
The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has warned against using the October 20 protest for the release of Nnamdi Kanu to undermine the ongoing court hearing and political solution to the matter.
President of the NBA, Afam Osigwe, SAN, issued the warning on Thursday while addressing journalists in Abuja.
DAILY POST recalls that human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, had planned to organise the protest for the release of Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Sowore had begun mobilisation for what he called a planned peaceful protest against the detention of Kanu.
However, there have also been ongoing calls for a political solution to Kanu’s trial, who is facing an alleged terrorism offence at the Federal High Court before Justice James Omotosho.
Reacting to the planned protest, Osigwe said that though the NBA respects the rights of every Nigerian to demonstrate, the judicial proceedings before the court should not be undermined.
“Let me just say that the NBA as an association respects the rights of every Nigerian to demonstrate.
“The right to demonstrate, in the view of the NBA, is part of the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association.
“Now, having said that, I also recognise that with respect to the subject matter of the demonstration, there is presently a trial going on before the court.
“And the Nigerian Bar Association will, at all times, recognise that in such situations it becomes the duty of the police to provide protection for them to ensure that either the demonstration is not hijacked by hoodlums or that it does not degenerate and lead to breakdown of law and order.
“We must balance that against the issue of ensuring that the judicial processes which is going on before a court are not in any way undermined.
“We do not unwittingly, give an impression that the judiciary cannot be trusted to do justice to matters pending before the courts,” he said.
The senior lawyer said caution should be exercised so that the trial is not politicised or the ongoing efforts to apply political discourse are not jeopardised.