#ENDSARS: NBA YENAGOA SUES FOR JUSTICE, PEACE

**Condemns Establishment’s use of excessive force against peaceful protesters in parts of the Country

**Cautions Protesters against resort to violence, arson

**Empannels Special Committee to provide probono legal services to genuine protesters and others whose fundamental rights are violated

TRACKING______The Nigerian Bar Association Yenagoa Branch under the leadership of Mr. Felix Okorotie has called on Nigerian Citizens protesting against professional misconduct of Security Agencies to go about the pursuit of the legitimate demands peacefully, continually resist the temptation of resorting to violence and arson as well as not allow mischievemakers hijack and misdirect the movement.

The Yenagoa Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association in a Statement jointly signed by Felix Okorotie, Esq. – Chairman; Michael Ekadi, Esq. – Secretary and Nelson Abali, Esq. – Publicity Secretary, urged Government at all levels to take practical steps in meeting the Protesters’ legitimate demands and to further ensure the recalibration of the security architecture of the Country to meet the yearnings of the Citizenry.

Okorotie, Ekadi and Abali further urged the Establishment not to levy excessive force on Citizens expressing their Fundamental Human Rights and democratic liberties peacefully, noting that in a Constitutional Democracy like the one Nigeria subscribes to, freedom of expression is inalienable and sacrosanct.

The NBA Yenagoa Statement condemned in strong terms the lethal attack of Protesters at Lekki toll gate as well as the acts of arson on Private properties and critical public infrastructure including Temples of Justice, adding that targetting and torching Courts of Law is most unacceptable and should be stopped forthwith.

Reiterating readiness to provide legal services to peaceful protesters whose fundamental Human Rights were or are being violated, the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association Yenagoa Branch appointed a Special Committee on protection of Rights of genuine Protesters with the following membership:
Bomo Tons Fetepigi- Obhe (Chairperson);
Kayode Olaosebikan, Esq.; Somina Johnbull, Esq.; Bridget Alaki, Esq.;
Hannah Abaje, Esq.;
Nelson Abali, Esq.;
Harcourt Ekpe, Esq.; and
Clement Famateigha, Esq.

The Bayelsa’s premier Bar while calling on the #EndSars Bayelsa Protesters to continue to eschew violence and remain peaceful, urged the Establishment to continually respect the Citizens’ rights to make legitimate demand, hinting that the body shall continue to monitor developments with a view at ensuring a win-win outcome.