By Chief Frank Agbedo, FIMC
As lawyers and conferees, from all corners of Nigeria and beyond, get set for the Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) holding at the International Conference Center ( ICC) in Enugu metropolis, between 23rd-29th August, 2025, there confronts the nation’s foremost legal body, a critical and pressing task, to prioritize the alarming and deeply troubling issue of human rights violations perpetrated by security forces, across the country, in its agenda for this year’s conference. Beyond the eagerly anticipated legal fireworks, it strikes at the very heart of Nigeria’s democratic fabric and the rule of law.
In recent times, reports of abuses by security agencies have become distressingly frequent and widespread. From indecent assault, unlawful detentions, extrajudicial killings, torture, to the suppression of peaceful protests by unarmed citizens, the actions of some security operatives have not only violated the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens but have also egregiously targeted members of the legal profession. Lawyers, who are constitutionally mandated to defend justice and uphold the rights of individuals, have increasingly found themselves victims of extrajudicial killings, intimidation, harassment, and violence. This disturbing trend undermines the independence of the legal profession and threatens the very pillars of justice in Nigeria.
A nation that fails to respect and protect human rights cannot, in good conscience, claim membership among the community of decent and civilized countries. Human rights are the cornerstone of any democratic society, and their violation signals a regression into authoritarianism and lawlessness. The NBA, as the collective voice of Nigerian lawyers and a guardian of justice, holds a unique and indispensable position in confronting these challenges.
The NBA is often regarded as the last hope of the common man—a beacon of hope for those whose voices are silenced and whose rights are trampled upon. It is therefore inconceivable that the association should remain silent or indifferent while Nigerians endure abject dehumanization and desolation at the hands of government agencies meant to protect them.
The nefarious activities of these security agents are clearly ultra-vires their powers, and therefore illegal and unconstitutional, for constituting flagrant violations of the fundamental rights of citizens preserved under sections 33, 34, 35, 40,41, 42, etc, of the 1999 constitution (as amended) as well as, by virtue of Articles 2,5,6,10-12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement Act) 1990. Fortunately, the current Executive Committee of the NBA led by Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has shown the requisite grit and gravitas needed to turn the tide positively, toward the brave new Bar of our dreams, where matters of general public interest, as well as the right of lawyers to ply their trade unhindered, are duly prioritized and not compromised.
The forthcoming AGC therefore presents an unparalleled opportunity for the NBA to lead a national conversation on these violations, propose actionable solutions, and reaffirm its commitment to defending human dignity and the rule of law.
At the Enugu conference, the NBA must therefore prioritize interventions on the following areas of critical relevance to the protection of citizen’s rights, guaranteed under Chapter IV of our constitution, thus:
- Documenting and exposing cases of rights violations by setting up mechanisms to systematically track abuses by security forces and publicizing these findings to raise awareness both nationally and internationally. 2. Advocating for reforms, with active collaboration of NBA branches, that enhance accountability and oversight of security agencies, including the strengthening of independent bodies tasked with investigating misconduct. 3. Developing strategies to safeguard legal practitioners from harassment and violence, ensuring they can perform their duties without fear or favor. 4. Engagement with Government and Security Agencies by facilitating dialogue aimed at fostering respect for human rights within security forces and promoting adherence to constitutional mandates. And 5. Educating the public on their rights and the legal avenues available to seek redress against abuses.
The Nigerian Bar Association’s proactive engagement on these issues will not only restore public confidence in the justice system but also reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to upholding human rights and democratic values. The AGC in Enugu must be remembered not just as a routine gathering of legal minds but as a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s journey toward justice, dignity, and respect for all its citizens.
The Bar cannot afford to be a bystander while the people suffer under the weight of oppression and injustice. It must rise to the occasion, champion the cause of human rights, and lead Nigeria toward a future where the rule of law prevails and every citizen’s dignity is honored. The time to act is now, and the Enugu AGC is the platform to ignite this crucial change.
- Chief Agbedo, a Lawyer and Founder, Global Center for Defence of Human Rights (GCDHR) Lagos, writes from Lagos.
