Nigerian Bar Association has set up a fact-finding team over the alleged killings in Oyigbo local government in Rivers state which has triggered a controversy.
On October 21, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike declared a 24-hour curfew in Oyigbo after a police station and other facilities were attacked by suspected Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) members.
The Governor added that the state would not “allow troublemakers to take laws into their own hands and use the protest period to commit anarchy”.
Wike also declared N50 million bounty for a leader of IPOB, in Rivers State, Stanley Mgbere.
Read Also: Violence: Wike Outlaws IPOB, Places N50m Bounty On Leader, Stanley Mgbere
He accused him of;
Leading members of the banned IPOB to cause the recent violence and destruction of lives and property in Oyigbo Local Government Area (of the state).
Following this, there were several reports that soldiers engaged in alleged extra-judicial killings in Oyigbo, allegedly instructed by Governor Wike.
Read Also: Troops Take Over Oyigbo, Rivers To Restore Calm After Fresh Attacks (Videos)
NBA President, Olumide Akpata has now instructed Presidents of professional association of lawyers in Ukwa and Port Harcourt to ascertain the veracity of these reports of loss of lives and violation of fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens.
Akpata, in a statement on Thursday, November 5, expressed that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state repeatedly denied ordering the shooting but admitted there was clashes between alleged IPOB members and the military.
He declared that a 4-man team will conduct an inquiry into events of the last few days, after which the NBA will make known the findings before determining the next step.
Read his full statement below;
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has followed with concern, the reports of killing of persons alleged to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by officers of the Nigerian military, allegedly on the orders of the Governor of Rivers State.
In response to these reports that dominated the social media over the course of last weekend, I spoke separately with the Chairmen of the Ukwa and Port Harcourt Branches of the NBA (the two branches closest to Oyigbo) to ascertain the veracity of these reports of loss of lives and violation of fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens.
Whilst the Chairmen of the two branches expressed concern over the situation, they however informed me that they were yet to conduct an on-the-spot assessment owing to the curfew imposed on the area by the State Government to forestall breakdown of law and order.
In a separate telephone conversation with the Governor of Rivers State, H. E. Nyesom Wike, he categorically denied ordering any such shooting as rumoured, but acknowledged clashes between men of the Nigerian military and some suspected IPOB members in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the State.
The Governor further explained that the curfew imposed on the area was borne out of necessity and assured me that it would be lifted yesterday, 3rd November 2020. I have now confirmed that the curfew has indeed been lifted and that residents of the area are now able to go about their lawful activities.
With the curfew now lifted, the NBA has set up a fact-finding team comprising of: (i) John Aikpokpo-Martins (1st Vice President NBA); (ii) Victor Frank-Briggs (Past Chairman NBA PH Branch); (iii) Chimaroke Ejie (Past Chairman NBA Ukwa Branch); and (iv) Anthonia Osademe (Vice-Chairman NBA PH Brach). The 4-man team is to visit Oyigbo and conduct an inquiry into the events of the last few days in the area, after which the NBA will make its findings known and determine the next steps.
Ahead of the outcome of this exercise, the NBA reiterates its position that in a democratic nation like Nigeria, respect for the fundamental rights of citizens is non-negotiable and can only be derogated from in instances permitted by the Constitution or other laws. We therefore continue to call on all and sundry (including security agencies and those in authority) to respect the dignity of life and fundamental rights of every citizen and desist from conducts likely to undermine our democracy or indeed the unity of Nigeria.
