The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) have partnered to assist victims of SARS and other units of the Nigerian police in petitioning the Independent Investigative Panel of the Federal government and Judicial Panels Of Inquiry set up by various state governments
This is contained in a statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL) signed by the NBA National Publicity Secretary, Dr Rapulu Nduka
Nduka added that the two parties will cooperate in providing legal aid to the victims mentioned above.
Read the full statement below:
PROMOTING RULE OF LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA: NBA SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NHRC
Dear Colleagues,
In line with its motto of Promoting the Rule of Law and respect for the Fundamental Rights of citizens, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), signed a Memorandum of Partnership (MOP) on Friday, 30th October, 2020.
The MOP was executed by the President of the NBA, Mr. Olumide Akpata and the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mr. Tony Ojukwu detailing areas of collaboration between the two flagship human rights organizations which includes:
1.Assisting victims of human rights violations by the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police in preparing and submitting their petitions before the Independent Investigative Panel set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), and the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by State Governments for that purpose;
2. To cooperate in providing legal aid to victims of human rights violations by SARS and other units of the Nigerian Police before the Independent Investigative Panel and Judicial Panel of Inquiry established by the National Human Rights Commission and State Governments respectively, amongst other areas of collaboration.
After the execution of the memorandum, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mr. Tony Ojukwu, thanked the President of the NBA, Olumide Akpata, for the initiative and commended his doggedness and commitment to issues of rights abuse in the country by state actors.
The President lauded the NHRC Boss for his giant strides in the human rights community and informed him of the readiness of the NBA to act as Amicus Curiae in the various investigative panels nationwide. He further stated that the NBA has already started this process in the Lagos panel and is perfecting plans to replicate same in other panels.
Dr. Rapulu Nduka
Publicity Secretary,
Nigerian Bar Association
