Endsars: Threat To Adegboruwa, A Threat To Every Nigerian — Ex-Chairman NBA Abuja Branch, Yamah

The former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch, Desmond Yamah, has expressed concern over the alleged threat against a member of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN.

Yamah, in a statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer, said the news of the alleged threat came to him as a shock because Adegboruwa accepted to serve the panel in “his characteristic altruism”, and not necessarily because he was under obligation to do so.

He said, “I received the news of the threats issued against the life of our Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN, a cerebral rights advocate and a Senior Member of the Bar with great shock and disbelief.
Mr. Adegboruwa sat as a member of the Lagos State Panel investigating rights abuses by the police, popularly known as the ENDSARS PANEL, following his appointment by the Government of Lagos State.

“There was absolutely no obligation to accept this awesome task that saw him temporarily abandon his flourishing law practice to take on this noble but incredibly difficult and thankless task, but in his characteristic altruism, Mr. Adegboruwa rose to the occasion, accepted this call to duty and worked assiduously with other members of the panel to produce what has been hailed internationally as an unimpeachable outcome of the panel.”

He therefore described the threat against Adegboruwa as a threat to all Nigerians and members of the NBA. He said every Nigerian, including Adegboruwa, has the right to participate in national discourse and also hold organs of the state accountable.

“I Desmond Yamah, unequivocally condemn any threat from any quarters and state categorically that any threat of any nature to Mr. Adegboruwa, particularly any threat arising from his role as a member of the ENDSARS PANEL is a threat to ALL Nigerians and a threat to every member of the Nigerian Bar Association in particular.

“I, therefore, call on the Government of Lagos State, the Federal Government of Nigeria and all the security agencies to consider the threats issued against Mr. Adegboruwa seriously and immediately initiate investigations into the source thereof and neutralize it promptly.

“I join my voice to the voices of all well-meaning Nigerians who are watching this ugly development and will continue to voice our support for the supremacy of the Rule of Law in Nigeria.

“Every citizen has the right, like Adegoruwa, to participate in national discourse as fearlessly represented by Mr. Adegboruwa, and hold every organ of state accountable to the protection and preservation of the lives, security and well-being of Nigerians.” Yamah said

Recall that Adegboruwa has raised alarm over attacks by persons he suspected to be agents of the government. He said on Monday 22nd November, 2021, that two prominent lawyers of government have been inciting opinions against him on national television and his only crime is accepting to part of the EndSars Panel to represent NBA, civil society and the masses. He lamented also that one of the EndSars protested was attacked last night with machete blows. He called on the people of Nigeria, the NBA and Civil rights movements to hold government responsible should anything happen to him.