NBA backs protests, seeks N’Assembly’s intervention

Posted by admin House, Legislature, Senate Friday, January 6th, 2012

•A protest by the Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association on Awolowo Way, Ikeja

The Nigerian Bar Association on Thursday in Abuja joined forces with organised labour and civil society groups in protesting against the removal of subsidy on fuel.

The NBA also called on the National Assembly to consider impeachment proceedings against President Goodluck Jonathan “where and if government persists on this suicidal course of action.”

The association, which called on lawyers nationwide to withdraw their services beginning on Monday, also pleaded with the National Assembly to officially and formally declare its position on the removal of fuel subsidy.

A statement by the NBA President, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN) said, “If, as we believe, the National Assembly sides with the people, then it must, in the same transaction, call on the President to rescind or reverse its actions on subsidy removal.

“Should their call not be heeded by the President, then the National Assembly should seriously consider impeachment proceedings, the President having lost the confidence of Nigerians to continue to rule or lead them. If the legislators fail to take the desired actions, then Nigerians will commence the constitutional process to recall them.”

The NBA warned that should anything untoward happens during the protests, then the blood of innocent Nigerians would be on the head of Jonathan.

The organisation said, “In every democracy, a leader or leaders must rule or govern according to the will of the people. No leader has a monopoly of knowledge or wisdom over and above that of the people that put him there. At all times, government must remain responsive and accountable to the will of the people or face the consequences.”

Daudu said since the announcement of removal of subsidy on fuel, the NBA had been in active consultation with the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Nigerian Medical Association and other professional bodies and civil societies.

He said, “The NBA supports and associates itself with all the actions contained in the NLC/TUC communiqué referred to above. For the avoidance of doubt, all members of the NBA shall participate in the nationwide strike commencing on January 9 2012.

“The strike shall be comprehensive with all lawyers withdrawing their services from courts and elsewhere except as it is necessary to facilitate the continuation of pressure on government to rescind its actions.

“All branches of the NBA are directed to constitute teams of able and dedicated lawyers to assist, free of any charge, persons who may be unlawfully arrested or manhandled during the period of protest.

“Lawyers should ensure that they monitor the response of government, particularly any breaches of fundamental human rights or the protocols of international criminal law for the possibility of prosecution of errant and exuberant officials before appropriate international criminal tribunals.”

The NBA said it was supporting the position of NLC/TUC that there should be no negotiation with the Justice Alfa Belgore-led committee or any other agent of government on this or any other allied matter because there is in reality nothing to negotiate. “The minimum position is the immediate reversal of this provocative and uncalled for increment of petrol,” the NBA added

-Punchwp_posts