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The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe (SAN), has decried the deteriorating security situation in the South-East, highlighting rampant illegal detentions, extrajudicial killings, and human rights abuses.
In an interview with newsmen in Enugu, Osigwe condemned the developments, saying that they had led to the breakdown of law and order in the region.
He said, “The issue of security in the South East should be taken seriously, giving the due attention it deserves.
“There has been a breakdown in law and order in many parts of the South-East, many communities no longer have a presence of local government, police stations have been destroyed, people are being kidnapped and ransomed, and people are beginning to take it as the order of the day,” he said.
Osigwe condemned the practice of some magistrates without jurisdiction, granting remand orders, leading to prolonged and unjust detentions.
He said over 68 per cent of prison inmates in the country were awaiting trial, adding that many had spent more time in detention than they would have if convicted.
Osigwe implored the CJs to direct magistrates not to remand any suspect without charging them to court while urging victims of unjust remand to seek redress in court, adding that NBA lawyers would be willing to offer pro bono services to support them.
He further stated that the NBA was working to promote peace and security in the south-east, through constructive engagement with relevant agencies, and advocacy.
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