The Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja branch, has urged the Nigerian Police authorities to fashion a peaceful intervention plan in the management of the situation which led to a breakdown of peace and order reported to have happened at the house of Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor.
This was made known in a press release signed by the Chairman, Folarin Aluko, and the Secretary, Ebuka Nwaeze. The branch urges the Federal Government to do this, and show its commitment to protecting the human rights of Nigeria, as the world celebrates the World Human Rights Day.
The branch views the entire situation as a grave departure from the due process of law enforcement and calls on the Police authorities to fashion peaceful intervention plan in the management of the situation to forestall further break down of law and order, in line with the duties of the Nigerian Police as contained under Section 4 of the Police Act, Cap P19, LFN 2004.
According to the statement, The progress of any society directly depends on mutual respect for the Rule of Law as well as compliance and enforcement of the democratic laws of our land by both Government and the Citizenry.
“Every Nigerian enjoys the presumption of innocence unless and until a contrary pronouncement is made by a court of competent jurisdiction. “The right to Counsel is a necessary corollary to the presumption of innocence. As Ministers in the Temple of Justice, no Lawyer should be intimidated for carrying out his or her professional duty on behalf of a Client, even if that Client is accused of being the Devil.
“Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor is a senior Lawyer who is known for his diligence and professional ethics. “The Nigerian Police are granted wide powers for a reason- for prosecuting crime- not for persecuting Nigerians”. The statement further reads “As the World prepares to celebrate the World Human Rights Day on the 10th December, 2019, the Federal Government must show its commitment to the protection of the Human Rights of Nigerians by upholding the rule of law and due process.
“We, therefore, call for restraint and cessation of all forms of self-help by the Nigerian Police and the good people of Oraifite, Anambra State. “We deeply condole with the families of all that have been directly affected either through the loss of loved ones or properties.
SOURCE: The Nigeria lawyers
Published by:
Chibuike John Nebeokike
For: Radio Biafra Media
