The Nigerian Bar Association in Anambra State has condemned the wanton destruction of lives and properties by hoodlums who hijacked the End SARS protest.

Anambra Bar in a Statement signed by all the Chairmen of the Eight branches condoled the families who lost their loved ones in the mayhem.

The Branches registered their willingness to assist all those who suffered losses of various kinds particularly the law enforcement officers to get justice and ensure that rights of arrested persons were not violated.

Read the full statement below.

STATEMENT BY THE LEADERSHIP OF THE 8 (EIGHT) BRANCHES OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION(‘NBA’) IN ANAMBRA STATE (‘ANAMBRA BAR’) ON THE RECENT WANTON DESTRUCTION OF LIVES AND PROPERTIES BY HOODLUMS WHO HIJACKED THE #ENDSARS PROTEST

Whereas on October 17, 2020, the Anambra Bar threw its weight and support behind great Nigerian youths who took courage to protest the primitive culture of police brutality and to demand immediate reforms. This largely nationwide peaceful protests however took a drastic turn from October 21, 2020, following the tragic shooting of unarmed protesters at Lekki Toll Gate on the evening of 20/10/20 and the global outrage that greeted the dastardly act.

Sadly, hoodlums seized this ugly situation to hijack the hitherto peaceful #ENDSARS protest and wreaked havoc in most parts of the country in an unprecedent wanton attacks on innocent citizens, looting and destruction of properties with particular target on Police Stations, Court Buildings and Correctional Centres, leaving behind sordid tales of senseless loss of lives and abominable desecration of halls of justice and law enforcement facilities.

The Anambra Bar in the most-strongest terms totally condemn this unwarranted resort to lawlessness and carnage by these criminal elements. We therefore call on the relevant authorities to fish out the perpetrators of this mayhem and deal with them in accordance with our laws.

We however strongly advise that all those arrested in connection with the riots and violation of curfew orders should be treated in line with the provisions of extant laws. The Bar in Anambra State is available and willing to assist all those who suffered losses of various kinds particularly the law enforcement officers to get justice, we shall nevertheless monitor the processes and proceedings closely to ensure that rights of arrested persons were not violated in any way.

Finally, we express our deepest sympathies and condolences to all families who lost their loved ones in the mayhem and fervently wish those who sustain injuries quick recovery. In the same vein, we sympathize with the Inspector General of Police and Commissioner of Police Anambra State for the loss of some of their officers and men and destruction of some police stations.

We urge our people to take advantage of the Complaint Desks set up across our 8 (eight) branches in the State to articulate and present their respective petitions to the ANAMBRA STATE PANEL OF INQUIRY ON #ENSARS without further delay

Signed:

___________________

Vitalis Ihedigbo B.E Ewulum PhD

Chairman of Chairmen Chairman Idemili Branch

Chairman Ihiala Branch

Ekene Okonkwo Kaine Ananwune

Chairman Awka Branch Chairman Anaocha Branch

Kingsley Awuka Jim-Abel Oforma

Chairman Nnewi Branch Chairman Aguata Branch

Anthony Okafor Steve Ononye

Chairman Otuocha Branch Chairman Onitsha Branch