AfBA backs Buhari’s call for end to violence

The African Bar Association (AfBA) has backed President Muhammadu Buhari's call for peace after suspected hoodlums hijacked the #EndSARS protest to engage in violence and looting in several parts of the country.

The President of the association, Hannibal Uwaifo also commended the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for its “high level” intervention to restore peace and normalcy to the country.

In a statement by Uwaifo’s Special Adviser, Osa Director, the AfBA said that the President’s speech fell short of what it anticipated “considering the weighty issues raised by the protesters and others of general concern to majority of Nigerians”

Nevertheless, the association acknowledged the constitutional rights of public protests, and, in particular, “the germane issues of police impunity.”

It added: “While we urge the government of Nigeria to go further to condemn the attack on innocent peaceful protesters by organised mercenaries and security operatives, we totally condemn the attack on vital government buildings , the looting and burning of private properties, attack in media houses, correctional centres and other forms of violence unleashed in several locations in Nigeria especially, Edo, Lagos, Abuja and several other cities in Nigeria.

“While we sympathise with the government and people of Nigeria especially state governments,  security operatives and citizens who lost their lives, we  call for adequate restitution and compensation in a manner that meets the justice of each case.

“The AfBA commends the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for the steps taken so far in dealing with this monumental crisis and  state that we plan to  discuss and work with the NBA in bringing sponsors and  perpetrators found to have violated the rights of Nigerian citizens and youths to account before the international justice syste.”