The eight (8) branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Anambra State under the aegis of ‘Anambra Bar’ have condemned the destruction and looting of properties, particularly courts and correctional centres, by hoodlums who hijacked the EndSars protest.
This is contained in a statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL) signed by Chairman of the ‘Anambra Bar’, Vitalis Ihedigbo.
TheNIgerialawyer(TNL), recalls that on October 17, 2020, the Anambra Bar threw its weight and support behind great Nigerian youths who took courage to protest the primitive culture of police brutality and to demand immediate reforms. The said largely nationwide peaceful protests however took a drastic turn from October 21, 2020, following the tragic shooting of unarmed protesters at Lekki Toll Gate on the evening of 20th October, and the global outrage that greeted the dastardly act.
Sadly, hoodlums seized this ugly situation to hijack the hitherto peaceful #ENDSARS protest and wreaked havoc in most parts of the country in unprecedented wanton attacks on innocent citizens, looting and destruction of properties with a particular target on Police Stations, Court Buildings and Correctional Centres, leaving behind sordid tales of the senseless loss of lives and abominable desecration of halls of justice and law enforcement facilities.
In its statement, the Bar not only condemning the vandalization and killings called on relevant authorities to investigate the lawlessness and prosecute the perpetrators.
“Anambra Bar in the most-strongest terms totally condemn this unwarranted resort to lawlessness and carnage by these criminal elements. We, therefore, call on the relevant authorities to fish out the perpetrators of this mayhem and deal with them in accordance with our laws.
“We however strongly advise that all those arrested in connection with the riots and violation of curfew orders should be treated in line with the provisions of extant laws. The Bar in Anambra State is available and willing to assist all those who suffered losses of various kinds particularly the law enforcement officers to get justice, we shall nevertheless monitor the processes and proceedings closely to ensure that rights of arrested persons were not violated in any way.
“Finally, we express our deepest sympathies and condolences to all families who lost their loved ones in the mayhem and fervently wish those who sustain injuries quick recovery. In the same vein, we sympathize with the Inspector General of Police and Commissioner of Police Anambra State for the loss of some of their officers and men and destruction of some police stations.
The Bar also urged the people to take advantage of the Complaint Desks set up across our 8 (eight) branches in the State to articulate and present their respective petitions to the ANAMBRA STATE PANEL OF INQUIRY ON #ENSARS without further delay.
Other signatories to the statement are B.E Ewulum Ph.D. (Chairman Idemili Branch); Ekene Okonkwo (Chairman Awka Branch); Kaine Ananwune (Chairman Anaocha Branch); Jim-Abel Oforma (Chairman Aguata Branch); Kingsley Awuka (Chairman Nnewi Branch); Anthony Okafor (Chairman Otuocha Branch); and Steve Ononye (Chairman Onitsha Branch).
