NBA makes strong commitment to defend and protect Nigerians
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has reiterated its commitment to defend and protect the rights of Nigerians as guaranteed in the Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria (CFRN), 1999.
Speaking at an occasion in Lagos, to mark the 2016 International Human Rights Day the President of the association, Abubakar Balarabe (AB) Mahmoud said,
“The NBA is deeply worried about the huge loss of lives and property as a result of insurgency, armed robbery, kidnapping, militancy, extra judicial executions and other rights violations.
“On a daily basis we are regaled with bizarre statistics of the number of persons who have lost their lives in questionable circumstances. In addition to loss of lives due to factors listed above, the lives of Nigerians are wasted on account of ethnic, communal and religious conflicts, and the government seems to be helpless or incapable to deal with the situation to the satisfaction of Nigerians. This sordid development is unacceptable. The 1999 constitution provides that the security, protection of lives and property is the primary duty of government,” Mahmoud Said.
According to him, the decision to comment on the right to life in line with recent happenings was because CFRN 1999 (as amended) guarantees the right to life and provides very clear constitutional basis, when someone’s right to life can be abridged.
“Even in those circumstances, very clear safeguards are provided. The right to life is therefore fundamental and inalienable to the human person. Yet, it seems we have lost the value for life in Nigeria. It appears human life no longer has meaning,” the bar leader said.
Speaking about the case of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife Malama Zeenat Ibraheem, the NBA President said,
“We are deeply concerned about the continued disobedience of court orders by the Federal Government. This disobedience is not only unacceptable to the Nigerian Bar Association, but is antithetical to the principles of rule of law and due process. We thereby demand the immediate and unconditional release of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, his wife and other detainees whose release has been ordered by the courts.”
He continued, “In the same vein we call on the membership and leadership of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria to stop using highly incisive and extremist rhetoric and language that are capable of fomenting civil unrest and precipitating religious crisis in Nigeria. Nigeria is a nation governed by law and constitutional democracy. The IMN members must respect constituted authorities as a matter of obligation and pay obeisance to the Government of Nigeria. While we believe in religious ecumenism and freedom of religion, the NBA shall always defend the sovereignty of Nigeria.”
The Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10th and commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is also a day on which the International Community reaffirms its faith in the principles enunciated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Speaking on the commemoration of this day, Mahmoud said, “For some people, the events of December 10th have become an annual ritual that must be observed. For others, it is a distraction that must be accommodated by virtue of our membership of the international community.
“For the Nigerian Bar Association, this day offers us and the country a unique opportunity for sober reflection on the emerging and worrisome trends of human rights abuse in today`s world: Disrespect for basic human rights continues to be widespread in all parts of the globe. Extremists, militants and insurgents continue to maim, kill and subject people to horrific violence. Extra-judicial killings are on the increase. Messages of intolerance and hatred prey on our fears. Human values are under attack.
“On the 31st of October, 2016 I inaugurated the NBA North East and Niger Delta Task Forces in fulfilment of my promise to the Bar and the Nigerian People when I was inaugurated as the 28th President of the NBA to inter alia address the humanitarian issues in the two regions as a result of insurgent and militant activities. The work of the task force will begin to come to limelight early next year.”
“We strongly believe that it is time we re-affirmed our common humanity. The time to do this is now. It begins with each and every one of us stepping forward to defend the rights of the defenceless persons with disability, women, children, a minority group, internally displaced persons or anyone else at risk of discrimination or violence.
The NBA therefore, called on the federal government to fulfil this fundamental constitutional responsibility by providing adequate security measures to secure the lives and property of Nigerians.
“We acknowledge that our security agencies have been engaged in difficult insurgency and militancy operations. We support our military and other security agencies who day and night toil to make sure that we remain safe, but we will continue to urge them to do more in protecting our lives and property. In doing so we demand that they observe the rules of engagement in their operations and not to engage in indiscrimination, extra- judicial execution of persons who are mere suspects, no matter the circumstances. They must endeavour to give unarmed civilian suspects their due rights,” the president of the NBA said.
He further advocated an independent, effective and efficient legal profession is a key component in the promotion of the rule of law and protection of human rights.
“Without the rule of law and a justice system that ensures equality of all before the law, human rights become illusory.”
“We strongly believe that the voice of the Bar must be heard, loud and clear, in not only representing the interest of our members, but also in promoting the rule of law and protection of human rights in the public interest.”
Consequently, the NBA thereby launched its National Pro-bono Service Scheme (NPSS) to assist indigent Nigerians in their pursuit for Justice.
The Scheme is to boost and compliment the already existing Human Rights Desks of the various branches of NBA, which until now provided basic free legal services to indigent accused persons. The services rendered by lawyers under this scheme are free of charge to make legal representation/access to justice easier.
THEODORA KIO-LAWSON