#ENDSARS: NBA writes Lagos Attorney General seeks release of innocent detainees.

Lagos, Nov. 4, 2020

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch have on Wednesday, called on the Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) to facilitate the release of innocent detainees following the EndSars protest.

The letter signed by the branch Chairman Mr Yemi Akangbe and Chairman NBA Lagos Human Rights Committee, Mr Okey Ilofulunwa is dated Oct. 30, and made available to the Newsmen in Lagos.

IThe NBA noted that over 500 citizens were remanded on sundry allegations relating to the #EndSARS protest.

According to the NBA, the remand orders are to await the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), while the Correctional service have refused to take in the suspects who are now kept in various police stations.

The NBA urged the A-G to use his good offices in ensuring that those who are innocent are released immediately.

The letter titled “DPP’s Legal Advice on #Endsars detainees, partly reads:

"The Nigeria Correctional Service has failed or refused to take in the affected people pursuant to which they have been taken to several police stations around Lagos where they are currently remanded under degrading and inhuman conditions.

“We are concerned that given the number of defendants, their right to dignity of human persons as secured under the 1999 Constitution may be imperiled.

"We respectfully request that you use your good office to ensure that those that are innocent are released immediately," it said

The NBA noted that there were reports of human rights abuses leading up to the detention and arraignment of the citizens, adding that the high number of defendants has a potential to clog the justice system.

It therefore, urged that the Legal Advice be issued within the next three working days, so as to fast-track the state's commitment on the issuance of Legal Advice.

It noted that the branch has a network of lawyers under its Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS) and Court Duty Solicitor Scheme who offer free legal assistance to indigent citizens and #ENDSARS detainees.

NBA President, Mr Olumide Akpata had recently pledged the NBA's commitment in monitoring proceedings of the judicial panels of inquiry, adding that the Bar would also provide volunteer-lawyers to offer free legal services to citizens who wish to pursue their cases at the panels