Akorede Habeeb Lawal, the National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has responded to the criticism leveled by human rights activist Chidi Odinkalu regarding the NBA’s alleged celebration of the release of lawyer Pius Awoke and his cousin, Onyiba Emmanuel Chinonso, after three years of detention without trial.

In a series of tweets, Lawal stated, “Dear Prof @ChidiOdinkalu, with respect, this is almost ludicrous. And I’m certain that our member who was in custody for 3 years – Pius Awoke – does not share your sentiments. This present NBA leadership only got to know of the case of Pius about 3 weeks ago. And we immediately got onto it and eventually secured his release. How does this negate the #Ruleoflaw?”

Lawal clarified that the NBA does not celebrate Pius’s release and that there is no basis for such celebration. He emphasized that the association merely did what was necessary to help a lawyer and a citizen regain his freedom after three years of unlawful detention.

The NBA Publicity Secretary further noted that securing Pius’s release does not diminish the unlawfulness of his detention or that of other citizens who face similar circumstances. He assured that the NBA will continue to condemn such unlawful detentions and work towards securing the release of affected individuals, whether they are lawyers or not.

Lawal also revealed that the NBA had secured the release of Emmanuel Onyibo, a final year computer science student who was arrested and detained alongside Pius since 2021.
He strongly believes that two things can co-exist to fulfill the expectations of the rule of law: Pius regaining his freedom as expedited by the NBA, and the condemnation of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other law enforcement agencies for trampling on citizens’ personal liberty.

Lawal concluded by stating that the NBA leadership does not celebrate anything and does not yearn for praise. However, he maintained that the effort put forth by the current NBA leadership in securing the release of Pius Awoke and Emmanuel Onyibo is not worthy of condemnation.

However, some lawyers have expressed support for Chidi Odinkalu’s comments, questioning the NBA leadership’s actions. A lawyer stated, “What I do not endorse is the NBA President and General Secretary posing for pictures with DSS operatives. If we all agree that what the DSS has done is despicable, condemnable, and unconscionable, then it is bad optics to be posing for pictures with officers from an organization notorious for disregarding court orders and desecrating the rule of law.”