The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the arrests
of #OccupyLekkiTollGate protesters by the police.
Earlier on Saturday, more than 30 protesters were arrested
at Lekki tollgate.
The youths were demonstrating against the decision of the
Lagos judicial panel, which granted approval to the Lekki Concession Company
(LCC) to continue operations at the tollgate.
Operations at the tollgate have been suspended since October
2020, following a shooting incident involving #EndSARS protesters.
However, Olumide Akpata, the NBA president, in a statement
via his official Twitter handle on Saturday, described the arrests as against
the fundamental rights of the protesters.
He, however, added that the NBA will provide voluntary legal
representation for all persons arrested in connection with the demonstrations.
“The images & footages of the unlawful actions of the
Nigerian Police at the Lekki Tollgate Lagos are truly shocking. The
@NigBarAssoc condemns the brazen disrespect for the fundamental rights of
unarmed citizens who are merely exercising their rights to peaceful protests,”
the tweet reads.
“We are currently working together with members of our
Association to ensure the release of those detained. At the moment, we
understand that the detainees are spread across Panti, Adeniji and Ikeja Police
Stations and that they are currently being denied access to their Lawyers.
“This is totally unacceptable and we call on the Police to
immediately release them or allow them unhindered access to their lawyers. For
protesters who do not have legal representation, the @NigBarAssoc is setting up
a team of volunteer lawyers who will immediately represent them.”
Meanwhile, according to Femi Falana, human rights lawyer and
senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the protesters will appear before a mobile
court in Yaba, Lagos.
Earlier, Charles Oputa, Nigerian singer and activist better
known as Charly Boy, also condemned the arrests of some #OccupyLekkiTollGate
protesters by security operatives.
Mr Macaroni, a comedian, was
arrested alongside others in the early hours of Saturday over their involvement
in the demonstration.
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