NBA-SPIDEL in Partnership with IRCT, OMCT, Global Rights & House of Justice
Online Workshop on Protest, Detention, Torture and Shrinking Civic Spaces
Date: Tuesday, 20th January 2026
Time: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm (WAT)
Platform: Online (Zoom / MS Teams)
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programme, participants will be able to:
1. Identify and explain the constitutional, statutory, regional, and international legal frameworks governing the right to peaceful protest, freedom of assembly, and expression in Nigeria.
2. Analyse the legal implications of shrinking civic spaces and assess their impact on democratic governance, access to justice, and the rule of law.
3. Apply due process standards relating to arrest and detention, particularly in protest-related contexts, and recognise common violations requiring legal intervention.
4. Recognise and document acts of torture and ill-treatment in accordance with domestic law and international documentation standards.
5. Evaluate available accountability mechanisms and remedies for unlawful detention and torture, including strategic litigation options and engagement with regional and international human rights bodies.
6. Demonstrate enhanced professional competence in providing legal representation, advocacy, and victim-centred responses in cases involving protest, detention, torture, and civic space restrictions.
Programme Schedule
4:00 pm – 4:10 pm
Opening and Welcome Remarks
• Welcome address by Ntufam Mba Ukweni SAN, Chairman – Public Interest Litigation Committee, NBA-SPIDEL
• Special Remarks &
Introduction of partner organisations
Associate Professor Uju Agomoh, NBA-SPIDEL
4:10 pm – 4:30 pm
Session 1: Right to Protest and Shrinking Civic Spaces
• Legal framework for peaceful protest under the Nigerian Constitution
• International and regional human rights standards
• Trends in restriction of civic spaces
Speaker:
Abiodun Bayeiwu, Executive Director – Global Rights, Abuja
4:30 pm – 4:50 pm
Session 2: Arrest, Detention and Due Process Guarantees
• Lawful arrest and detention standards
• Protest-related arrests and detention challenges
• Role of legal practitioners in safeguarding detainees’ rights
Speaker:
Gloria Mabeiam Ballason – Founder, House of Justice Kaduna
4:50 pm – 5:15 pm
Session 3: Torture, Ill-Treatment and Documentation Standards
• Prohibition of torture under international law
• Identification and documentation of torture
• Rehabilitation and victim support mechanisms
Speaker:
Maeva Rene-Barry
UN Program Manager, International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT),
Copenhagen/Belgium/Geneva
5:15 pm – 5:35 pm
Session 4: Accountability, Strategic Litigation and International Mechanisms
• Domestic remedies and accountability pathways
• Strategic litigation in detention and torture cases
• Engagement with regional and international human rights mechanisms
Speaker:
Dr Isidore NGUEULEU,
Head, Africa Office – OMCT, Geneva
5:35 pm – 5:45pm
Interactive Session: Questions, Case Reflections and Practical Insights
• Participant engagement and practical case discussions
• Professional best practices for lawyers
5:45pm – 6:00 pm
Closing Session:
• Summary of key learning points: Dr Lilian Ojimma – Assistant Secretary, NBA-SPIDEL Public Interest Litigation Committee
- Closing Remarks:
Paul Daudu SAN, Vice Chairman, NBA-SPIDEL • CLE compliance reminders and attendance confirmation
SPIDEL Admin Officer • Vote of thanks
Vincent Adodo – Secretary, NBA-SPIDEL Public Interest Litigation Committee & Assistant Secretary, NBA-SPIDEL
Moderator:
Bulus Atsen fsi
Vice Chair, NBA-SPIDEL Public Interest Litigation Committee
Enome J. Amatey
Secretary, NBA-SPIDEL
Click on the Link Below to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ryzB1uWkS1iCeOh9e0pvtA
