The Nigerian Radical Agenda Movement in the Nigerian Bar Association (RAMINBA
has condemned the mass arrest of
Makoko Residents by Police Officers attached to the Lagos State TASKFORCE managed by the Lagos State Government.
Ayo Ademiluyi, the Chairperson RAMINBA, said in press statement that the Residents, acting under the auspices of Freedom in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, Sogunro and Iwaya (FREMOSI),who were getting ready to attend the 1st Lagos State Waterfront Summit at Eko Hotel were arrested by the officials of the same Lagos State Government!
According to her,We beg to ask : how sincere is the Lagos State Government about dialoguing with waterfront communities in Lagos State.
“We view this latest clampdown as part of an orchestrated clampdown on residents of these communities, with looming evictions ranging from Oworonsoki to Ajegunle and now to Makoko , where it began from last year with eviction of Oko-baba Plank Mill community .
“We are aware that yesterday, officials of the Lagos State Government served a purported notice of eviction on the same Makoko Residents .
“We hereby look call on CP Olohunda Jimoh of the Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Police Force to immediately order the release of these innocent residents , within 24 hours , failing which we will take out appropriate measures under the law to secure their release and personal liberty,the statement read.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the arrest of protesters by the Police at the Lekki Tollgate, Lagos on Saturday.
The President of the association, Mr Olumide Akpata, said in a statement that the arrest of the protesters is a disrespect to their fundamental right to organise peaceful protests.
According to the NBA boss, “The images and footage of the unlawful actions of the Nigerian Police at the Lekki Tollgate Lagos are truly shocking. The Nigerian Bar Association condemns the brazen disrespect for the fundamental rights of unarmed citizens who are merely exercising their rights to peaceful protests.
“We are currently working together with members of our Association to ensure the release of those detained. At the moment, we understand that the detainees are spread across Panti, Adeniji and Ikeja Police Stations and that they are currently being denied access to their Lawyers.
“This is totally unacceptable and we call on the Police to immediately release them or allow them unhindered access to their lawyers.
“For protesters who do not have legal representation, the NBA is setting up a team of volunteer lawyers who will immediately represent them,” the statement read.
The protest of the youth is against the decision of the Lagos State Judicial Panel for the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) to open the tollgate where soldiers opened fire on unarmed protesters last year.
