* Kicks against extra-judicial killings in Nigeria
* Wants govt to begin prosecution of all suspects
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Olumide Akpata, has ordered the postponement of the Annual Conference of its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), which is slated to hold in Sokoto next week.
In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday, Akpata noted that the decision followed a request made by the Executive Committee of NBA-SPIDEL to him, which he has now approved.
According to Akpata, the NBA is saddened by the developments and unequivocally condemns extra-judicial killings in some part of the country.
Calling on the security agencies to do more to stem the ugly developments, the NBA boss stressed the need to ensure that the perpetrators of these heinous acts, wherever or whomever they may be, are made to face the full wrath of the law.
He said, “The government should immediately commence the prosecution of all suspects involved in these brutal and arbitrary killings in order to send a strong signal that such acts will no longer be tolerated in Nigeria.
“The NBA also believes that the prompt and effective prosecution of the alleged killers will instil confidence in the citizens, promote accountability, and signpost the government’s commitment to the rule of law.
“With particular reference to the murder of Miss Deborah Yakubu and related developments in Sokoto, we note that some arrests have been made by the Nigeria Police and that the suspects are now being prosecuted.
“We are, however, worried by yet-to-be confirmed reports reaching us that the suspects have been charged with mere breach of public peace in an episode that cut short Deborah’s life in her prime.
“The NBA is strongly opposed to a banalisation of the situation, and if these reports are true, then we call on the Sokoto State Government to immediately rethink its prosecution strategy and file charges that truly reflect the gravity of the situation.
“While the expectation of Nigerians and the international community is that the culprits should be brought to justice speedily for the appropriate offences, the demand for the release of the suspects by some protesting youths coupled with assault on innocent citizens, burning of worship centres and destruction of property has added an entirely new and worrisome dimension to the unfortunate incident.
“This is clearly a test of the will of the State to fully enforce its laws and foster rule of law”.
Theideal recalls that the late Deborah, a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto was set ablaze in the school premises last week by a mob after she was accused of blaspheming Prophet Mohammed (SAW).
But the brutal killing of the NCE student has sparked national and international outrage while some keen observers have called for the cancellation of the NBA event.
