Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Monday distanced itself from a controversial comment credited to its Vice President, John Aikpokpo-Martins, against the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Recall that Kanu was re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja which directed that he be kept in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Aikpokpo-Martins while reacting to the re-arraignment said that President Muhammadu Buhari is constitutionally bound to “crush” secessionists.
He was criticised for his choice of word.
However, in a statement, NBA President, Olamide Apata disclosed that he received many enquiries from members and the public.
“The views expressed by the 1st Vice President are his personal views which he posted on his Facebook account in the course of an online exchange, and that the said views do not represent the position of the NBA on the subject”, he noted.
Apata said as an association founded to defend the rule of law, the NBA will continue to champion and defend the rights of every Nigerian citizen and groups.
He stressed that they have the right to peaceful protest, make lawful demands recognized under the Nigerian constitution or international charters applicable to Nigeria, and the right to enjoy the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise by a court in a free and fair trial.
