In the wake of the current protests all over the Nation, the Nigerian Bar Association, Ota, ‘’the Utter Bar’’ aligns with the standpoint of the Nigerian Bar Association President, Y.C. MAIKYAU, SAN on resort to dialogue and violence free protests.

We reiterate that civil protest is the right of the citizen and derivable from the Constitution. Section 14 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria [CFRN] lucidly recognizes that sovereignty belongs to the people and that the government acts from the power that it derives from the constitution.

It emphasized that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of all government and that the people should be allowed to participate in their government. Hence, protest is a feedback mechanism for participatory governance
With a view to ensuring the protection of the security and welfare of the citizenry, our Branch is fully set to identify with the cause and direction of the mass of the people of this Nation.

We are also prepared to offer pro bono legal services to victims of state abuses and we will monitor the situation within our jurisdiction to ensure that the Rule of Law prevails.

We therefore call on other Civil Society Organizations [CSOs] to partner with the Nigerian Bar Association in ensuring equity and fair play in the governance of our dear Nation.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
God bless Nigeria Bar Association
God bless the Utter Bar

A.O. Adegoke ACIArb, AICMC, PLD
CNBA, OTA