Popular Lawyer Offers Free Legal Services to Protesters Ahead of ‘End Bad Government in Nigeria 2024’ Protest
End bad government in Nigeria 2024 protest.
A foremost human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has constituted a legal team that will offer free legal representation to protesters who may be arrested in the course of the planned protests across the country on August 1 in Lagos State.
Effiong made an appeal on Thursday through his X handle, stating the core reason for availing of legal aid to peaceful protesters and inviting his learned colleagues in the profession to join the move.
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“We are putting together a legal team in Lagos State to offer representation to any protester who may be arrested and/or charged to court during the forthcoming peaceful protest,” Effiong stated. Further, he appealed to his colleagues practicing in Lagos to share their WhatsApp numbers via direct message if they are willing to offer pro bono services to protesters. “History will vindicate the just,” he added.
The Effiong initiative comes at a time when the atmosphere in Lagos State has already been charged. Traditional worshippers declared the commencement of the Oro Festival, which falls within the dates for the protests. This coincidence has instigated fears in many stakeholders that there might be conflicts between protesters and festival participants.
On their part, the Lagos State government has distanced itself from the fixing of the festival, claiming it has no influence over the timing. The government is asking for understanding from both protesters and worshippers, appealing that due respect for their rights must be accorded to avert possible conflict.
As the August 1 protests draw near, this pre-emptive move by Effiong underlines how legal advocacy could play huge roles in deepening democratic principles for the fact that peaceful protests would have been carried out without fear of clampdown or reprisal.
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