The Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mike Ozekhome SAN has tasked the NBA Chairman and Vice Chairmen, who double as the Chairmen of Branch Human Rights Committee to pay repeated working visits to police stations in their domains to ensure early access to bail for detainees.
According to Ozekhome SAN, this directive became pertinent due to the subsisting strike action of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria which has stalled arraignment of suspects — especially those accused of minor offences.
This is so because every accused person should have access to bail which is hinged on the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty. No person should languish in detention under any circumstances.
The letter by the Committee dated April, 26, 2021 to the Chairmen and their vices signed by Benard Onigah, Secretary, National Human Rights Committee, stated that due to the ongoing nation-wide strike by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), I am directed by the Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) to request as follows:
1.That you undertake frequent visits to Police Stations within the Jurisdiction of your branches, to intervene and ensure that suspects involved in minor offences and petty crimes are granted bail on liberal terms, pending the calling-off of the strike action.
- To work closely with the Divisional Police Officers and Police Counsel, to ensu ensure the Protection of the Fundamental Human Rights of Nigerians and also provide advice to the Police when necessary and needed.
This exercise is to continue throughout the duration of the strike-action and as further directed by the Chairman.
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