“Crushing” Kanu, Igboho Is The Personal Opinion Of Aikpokpo-Martins, Not Of NBA — President, Akpata

*Reiterates Its Commitment To Rule Of Law And Right To Civic
Expression

Nigerian Bar Association has restated its commitment to rule of
law and rights to civic expression.

The President of the NBA Olumide Akpata, disclosed this on
Sunday while reacting to a post made by the first Vice President of
the Bar John Aikpokpo-Martins.

John had yesterday aired his opinion that Buhari should crush
IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and Yoruba Activist Sunday
Igboho.

Akpata in his statement said “Dear Colleagues, my attention has
been drawn to news reports, currently making the rounds, in which
the 1st Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr.
John Aikpokpo-Martins, was quoted as saying that the President of
Nigeria is constitutionally bound to “crush” secessionist agitators
in Nigeria.

“In response to the many enquiries I have so far received from
members of the Association and indeed the general public, it has
become necessary to state categorically that, as was affirmed in
the said news report, the views expressed by the 1st Vice President
are his personal views which he posted on his Facebook account in
the course of an online exchange, and that the said views do not
represent the position of the NBA on the subject.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the NBA, as an Association founded
to defend the Rule of Law, will continue to champion and defend the
rights of every Nigerian citizen and/or group including,
inter-alia, the right to lawful and peaceful protest; the right to
make lawful demands recognized under the Nigerian Constitution or
international charters applicable to Nigeria; and the right to
enjoy the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise by a
Court of Law in a free and fair trial that accords with the basic
principles of natural justice”.

*Reiterates Its Commitment To Rule Of Law And Right To Civic
Expression

Nigerian Bar Association has restated its commitment to rule of
law and rights to civic expression.

The President of the NBA Olumide Akpata, disclosed this on
Sunday while reacting to a post made by the first Vice President of
the Bar John Aikpokpo-Martins.

John had yesterday aired his opinion that Buhari should crush
IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and Yoruba Activist Sunday
Igboho.

Akpata in his statement said “Dear Colleagues, my attention has
been drawn to news reports, currently making the rounds, in which
the 1st Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr.
John Aikpokpo-Martins, was quoted as saying that the President of
Nigeria is constitutionally bound to “crush” secessionist agitators
in Nigeria.

“In response to the many enquiries I have so far received from
members of the Association and indeed the general public, it has
become necessary to state categorically that, as was affirmed in
the said news report, the views expressed by the 1st Vice President
are his personal views which he posted on his Facebook account in
the course of an online exchange, and that the said views do not
represent the position of the NBA on the subject.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the NBA, as an Association founded
to defend the Rule of Law, will continue to champion and defend the
rights of every Nigerian citizen and/or group including,
inter-alia, the right to lawful and peaceful protest; the right to
make lawful demands recognized under the Nigerian Constitution or
international charters applicable to Nigeria; and the right to
enjoy the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise by a
Court of Law in a free and fair trial that accords with the basic
principles of natural justice”.