The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed dismay over
the invasion of a Federal High Court in Abuja by operatives of the Department
of State Services (DSS) on Friday in a bid to re-arrest the Publisher of
Saharareporters, Omoyele Sowore and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare.
The DSS personnel had chased Sowore and Bakare back into the
court shortly after the trial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, had adjourned to
February 11, next year, for the commencement of their trial in alleged
treasonable felony charges.
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The action, which forced the court to rise and adjourn all
other matters, has since been widely condemned by all.
Reacting, the umbrella body for lawyers in the country
described the act as primitive, lawless, contemptuous and disrespect for the rule
of law.
“The NBA finds it disgraceful that this ‘court riot’
occasioned by the high handedness and insensitivity of the security operatives
interrupted judicial proceedings and made the presiding judge to abandon
judicial proceedings because of safety concerns.
“The Nigerian Bar Association strongly condemns the action
of the Department of State Security, which is another in the series of impunity
and lawlessness exhibited by the DSS. The invasion of the court by the agency
of the Federal Government of Nigeria runs contrary to the avowed assurances of
the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that he will ensure that the
federal government and agencies under it obeys court orders. The disrespect of
the court by the DSS is legendary and unrivalled,” the body said in a statement
made available to newsmen.
In the statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary,
Kunle Edun, the NBA urges all Nigerians to be alive to their responsibilities
as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and be ready to partner with all
Nigerians and civil society organisations to ensure that the rights of
Nigerians as guaranteed by Chapter 4 of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended are not trampled upon by any agency of
government.
The NBA therefore, demands as follows: That the Federal
Government of Nigeria and the National Assembly immediately investigate the
shameful conduct by the DSS and ensure that all persons found culpable are duly
punished in accordance with the law.
“The immediate suspension of the Director General of the
Department of State Security from office. We make this demand bearing in mind
the fact that the DSS under his leadership has established itself as a brutish
and irresponsible agency that derives immense pleasure from violating the
fundamental rights of Nigerians and disrespecting court orders.
“That the National Assembly should review the laws setting
up the DSS and indeed all security agencies in Nigeria with a view to
repositioning them to be more responsible and responsive to the public.
“That the Attorney General of the Federation, being the
Chief Law officer of the Federation takes over all the political cases or cases
involving politically exposed persons presently handled by the DSS,” the
statement read in part.
According to the body, its demands are without prejudice to
the consultations presently going on amongst critical stakeholders in the legal
profession and the judiciary on how best to ensure that this sad incident does
not re-occur.
The body also thanked all lawyers and Nigerians who have expressed displeasure over this sad incident, adding that lawyers and Nigerians alike would be carried along as it further engages with critical stakeholders.
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