Izuchukwu Okosi
Admin°Names Association’s Positive Impacts Since October 2020 Protests
By Izuchukwu Okosi
The President of the Nigeria Bar Association Olumide Akpata on Wednesday called on the Nigerian government to address all pending issues arising from the findings of the panels of inquiry set u*p in the aftermath of the Endsars protests across the country in 2020.
Akpata also called for immediate commencement of the compensation process for aggrieved Nigerians.
“My dear Colleagues, and Fellow Nigerians, today marks the anniversary of what historians would come to define as an epochal moment in the relations between the Nigerian state and her citizens.
“Many of us would recall that what started as a minor protest in Ughelli, Delta State, over the extra judicial killing of a citizen, by a trigger-happy policeman, soon snowballed into a conflagration that brought the entire nation on its knees for upwards of three weeks,” Akpata recounted.
“In what became known as #ENDARS protest, Nigerian youths took to the streets in their numbers to call out the excesses of the defunct police unit-SARS, in particular, and the Nigerian Police, at large.
“Throughout the duration of the protests, the Nigerian Bar Association (“NBA”) and her members and volunteers across the country remained at the forefront of the confrontation in ensuring that unlawfully arrested protesters were unconditionally released by the security agencies; and those charged to Court, were provided pro bono legal services throughout the duration of their prosecution, “Akpata further stated.
“The degenerating violence would culminate in the ugly scenes witnessed at the Lekki Toll Plaza on 20th October 2020 where operatives of the Nigerian Army reportedly fired gunshots into a crowd of protesting youths, resulting in the death of some citizens, and life-threatening injuries to many more.
“I want to conclude by honouring the memories of all those who have died due to police/SARS related brutality. In this regard, particular mention must be made of those who fell at the Lekki Toll Plaza on that fateful day.
“We are consoled by the fact that their ultimate sacrifice was not in vain. If anything, it has elicited a new national consciousness amongst the youths of Nigeria; one that would continue to be consolidated in the struggle for justice, equity, and fairness.
“They are the heroes of this hour. May their soul continue to rest in peace, and may their memories be a blessing to us,” the NBA boss prayed solemly.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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