The Nigerian Bar Association and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, have condemned the arrest of Protesters at the Lekki Tollgate under the #OccupyLekkiTollgate movement and demanded their immediate release.
Olumide Akpata, president of the NBA decried what he termed “shocking” and “unlawful actions” the police against protesters, demanding their immediate release.
He offered free legal representation to protesters without a lawyer.
Police kept vigil at the tollgate as part of efforts by the Nigerian authorities, who vowed to crush the protest, which is a follow-up of the #EndSARS against police brutality last October.
At least 23 persons, including passersby, were arrested by police officers deployed at the tollgate overnight.
“The @NigBarAssoc condemns the brazen disrespect for the fundamental rights of unarmed citizens who are merely exercising their rights to peaceful protests,” Akpata tweeted.
“We are currently working together with members of our Association to ensure the release of those detained.
“At the moment, we understand that the detainees are spread across Panti, Adeniji and Ikeja Police Stations and that they are currently being denied access to their Lawyers.
“This is totally unacceptable and we call on the Police to immediately release them or allow them unhindered access to their lawyers.
“For protesters who do not have legal representation the @NigBarAssoc is setting up a team of volunteer lawyers who will immediately represent them.”
Onn its part, SERAP threatened to take legal actions if the arrested protesters are not immediately and unconditionally released.
“We urge Nigerian authorities and the Nigeria Police Force to immediately and unconditionally release #EndSARS protesters detained simply for peacefully exercising their human rights. Authorities should also cease harassing people peacefully exercising their human rights.
“The United Nations and concerned governments should press the Nigerian authorities to end the crackdown on peaceful protesters, and unconditionally release those arbitrarily detained.
“We’ll pursue appropriate legal actions if the #EndSARS protesters arbitrarily arrested simply for peacefully exercising their human rights are not immediately and unconditionally released. Peaceful assembly is a fundamental right,” it said in a string of tweets.
