Jennifer Ugwueke
Members of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Abuja branch, on Tuesday 14th July in Abuja, staged a protest against the continuous incarceration of their colleague, Emperor Gabriel Ogbonna by the State Security Service (SSS).
The protesters bearing placards stormed the of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)’ headquarters located in Maitama and condemned the continued detention of Ogbonna despite a valid order of the court releasing him.
The Chairman of the association, Bulus Atsen who spoke on behalf of the protesters said the continuous detention of the lawyer is an affront to the rule of law and democratic principles.
He called on the human rights commission to intervene in the matter and prevail on the security agency to release him unconditionally in line with the court order.
Some of the inscriptions on the banners read; #Free Emperor Ogbonna Now; #Release Emperor Now and #Rule of Law Rally.
The protesters, thereafter, submitted a formal petition to the commission and office of Attorney General of Federation and Minister of Justice.
Responding on behalf of the commission, the Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu said the commission would write the DSS and furnish it with the details of the case, adding that the commission does not support impunity and urged all government institutions to respect the rule of law and court order.
The lawyer was being held over a Facebook post that the Abia State Governor, Okezie
Ikpeazu visited a shrine outside the country where he swore to an oath of allegiance and secrecy to the former governor of the state.