The Nigerian Bar Association President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), expressed concern over the continuous harassment of legal practitioners by security agencies in the country. He highlighted the cases of two lawyers, Okorie Kevin and Mr. Ernest Okpaga, who faced unjust detention and assault by security forces.
During a visit to the Defence Headquarters, Osigwe appealed for intervention in Kevin’s case and raised the issue of military checkpoints being misused for extortion. He criticized the use of collective punishment in crisis-affected communities involving the military.
Osigwe emphasized the importance of a cooperative relationship between the NBA and the military to uphold justice, accountability, and human rights. The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, acknowledged the concerns raised and pledged to investigate and address the issues promptly.
Gen Musa assured that the Defence Headquarters is committed to a people-centric approach and compliance with rules of engagement in civilian interactions. He expressed readiness to collaborate with the NBA to promote mutual understanding and adherence to the rule of law.
Furthermore, Osigwe commended the NBA National Litigation Committee for their professionalism and swift response to the Okpaga case during a meeting in Abuja. He reaffirmed the NBA’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and protecting the legal profession’s integrity.