Human rights activist Chidi Odinkalu has strongly criticized the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for celebrating the release of Pius Awoke, Esq., a lawyer, and his cousin Onyiba Emmanuel Chinonso, a computer science student at Ebonyi State University, who had been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) for three years without trial.
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Reacting to the news on his Twitter handle, Odinkalu said, “Alao Aka Basorun will be turning in his grave at the idea that @NigBarAssoc is celebrating triumphantly the release of anyone, least of all a lawyer, from detention for 3 yrs without charge. If @YCMaikyauSAN can’t defend the #RuleOfLaw, he shd abdicate.”
Alao Aka Basorun will be turning in his grave at the idea that @NigBarAssoc is celebrating triumphantly the release of anyone, least of all a lawyer, from detention for 3 yrs without charge. If @YCMaikyauSAN can’t defend the #RuleOfLaw, he shd abdicate.https://t.co/ifnpCWbEYy
— Chidi Odinkalu, CGoF (@ChidiOdinkalu) June 22, 2024
Odinkalu further expressed his disappointment with the NBA, stating, “I am glad that Mr. Awoke is out of detention by @OfficialDSSNG after 3 yrs but it is silly of @NigBarAssoc or its president, @YCMaikyauSAN to claim this as achievement. When a lawyer can be disappeared like this for no reason, we shd all be alarmed.”
He also emphasized that a Bar Association that is fit for purpose should not claim credit for this release, but instead, there should be collective indignation among professionals and civic groups that such a situation can happen to any citizen. Odinkalu described the incident as proof positive of impunity running amok in the country.
Awoke had traveled to Abuja to witness the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Federal High Court, which led to his detention by the DSS. Despite a court judgment directing the DSS to arraign Awoke and nine others within a month of September 1, 2023, the agency had not complied.
Recall NBA General Secretary, Adesina Adegbite, speaking with TheNigeriaLawyer after his release, stated that there were no charges against him or his cousin. The SSS could not find any evidence to support a case against them, and they are now free.
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