Extra-judicial killings: Probe allegations against security agencies, NBA tells AGF

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Abuja

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Friday, urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke Bello, SAN, to promptly investigate allegations of extra-judicial executions and torture leveled against the various branches of the security agencies, and ensure prosecution of culprits.

The legal body, which made the call at a valedictory session held at the Supreme Court yesterday in honour of late Justice Kayode Eso, equally implored the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of pending criminal justice bills before the legislature, particularly, the amendment to the Terrorism Act.

Besides, NBA, which spoke through its National President, Chief Okey Wali, SAN, further enjoined the National Assembly to as a matter of urgent national importance, effect amendment of Paragraph 2 of Part 11 of the Federal Character Commission (Establishment, e.t.c) Act Subsidiary Legislation which stated that “A married woman shall continue to lay claim to her state of origin for the purpose of implementation of the Federal Character Formulae at the national level.”

According to the NBA which is the umbrella body of legal practitioners in the country, “it is against equity,  good conscience and natural justice to expect a woman who has been married for decades to get national appointment from her state of birth, called her state of origin, by this Act.

“Rather than the last mis-step in issuing directives to the judiciary, which we excuse, as we believe that they were motivated by the best of intentions, but apparently without information, we urge the National Assembly to amend the law, as it would be most sacrilegious to expect the Chief Justice of Nigeria, to act in breach of the law, against her oath of office to uphold the constitution and laws of the land.”