‘NBA-HRI WILL NOT BE SILENT ON RIGHTS ABUSE’ – SABASTINE ANYIA

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NBA-HRI WILL NOT BE SILENT – FULL SPEECH OF THE 1ST VICE PRESIDENT, SABASTINE ANYIA, ESQ. AT THE AGM

Distinguished colleagues, leaders of our noble profession, friends of justice and guardians of humanity, good morning.

As we gather here at the AGM, let us reflect on the critical role the Nigerian Bar Association plays in upholding justice and human rights in Nigeria. The NBA is not just an association of lawyers; it is the conscience of this nation. When society bends under injustice, When the weak are silenced and when the innocent are slaughtered, history has always turned to the Bar, not merely for words, but for direction.

The Institute’s Mandate

The Human Rights Institute, the heart of the NBA’s conscience, is where we bridge the gap between the powerless and the powerful. We are the voice that insists that no Nigerian should be treated as less than human, whether in the markets of Makurdi, the villages of Jos, the streets of Lagos or the skies above Uyo. Our work is not Charity; it is duty. Our goal is not applause; it is justice.

Under the bold leadership of. our President, Mr. Afam Osigwe SAN, we are reminded that the NBA is a shield for the people. Again and again, he has raised his voice against the bloodshed across our communities. He has condemned the ruthless killings in Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Edo and Southern Kaduna and many more killings that has reduced mothers to mourners and children to orphans. He has equally stood firmly on cases like that of Comfort Emmanson and Jenifer Elobor, whose humiliation was broadcasted without regard to dignity or due process. In the President’s words and actions, we see a bar that cannot be silenced when human dignity is trampled.

It’s with great excitement and joy that I write this Annual General Meeting (AGM) report. We were sworn in on the 29th day of August and soon thereafter, we left for Abuja where we officially resumed work on the 2nd day of September 2024.

On resumption, the President addressed the staff of the NBA on the need to key into his proactive agenda and rebrand the NBA. He also gave us (the newly elected excos) the opportunity to address the staff too.

Few days thereafter, the President of the NBA, our own amiable Afam Josiah Osigwe SAN received disturbing news that one of our colleagues was arrested in his Lagos office by policemen from Enugu.

Thus on the 7th day of September, 2024 he directed me to work with the Chairman of NBA Enugu branch, the past

chairman Mr. Anene Ojinta, the chairman of NBA Eziagu branch,Mr. Christian Ezemagu and other stake holders to assist in the release of our colleague Okafor Vincent Esq. who was arrested in his Lagos office and flown to Enugu.

It will be recalled that on or about the 5th day of September, 2024 our colleague, Vincent Okafor Esq was arrested in his Lagos office by policemen from Enugu state police command on the allegation by the Igwe of their town that:

1.) Our colleague is inciting war in his community

2.) Our colleague was chasing him (the Igwe) with a matchet and

3.) That he is harassing the entire community with dangerous weapons.

Based on the above allegations, policemen from Enugu went to Lagos and arrested him in his office. The vice Chairman of Lagos branch, Mrs. Esther Jimoh and the NBA CLC Chairman Hon. Egya Nuhu Esq did everything within the ambit of our laws to get him out on bail but to no avail. He was flown from Lagos to Enugu and from Enugu airport he was taken straight to Magistrate court where he was arraigned and remanded in prison custody.

When Mr. President was informed of this ugly incident, he immediately called on me to liaise with the Chairman of NBA Enugu branch and make sure that justice is rightly served to our colleague. We immediately moved into action and are grateful to inform NEC that he was granted bail in the high court by our intervention. We salute each and every one of us who contributed to ensuring that he regained his freedom.

We were informed by his colleague and friends that throughout the month of August when the alleged incident was said to have occurred, our colleague did not travel out of Lagos state. Since the case is in a competent court of law, we do not want to discuss the facts of the case.

We are glad that NBA assisted him to regain his freedom. Apart from Okafor Vincent Esq, we also spoke boldly and fearlessly when our colleague, Dele Farotimi was arrested by the Nigerian police on allegation of defamation against Chief Afe Babalola SAN. Today the case is history. Again one of our colleagues from Nsukka Branch who criticized the police for extorting innocent citizens of their hard earned money was arrested and detained in Enugu police command, we got him out. In the same vein, a female lawyer from NBA Benin branch went to bail the sister who was arrested by Tiger base police in Owerri police command. She was arrested and detained, we equally got her bail and saved her from police embarrassment. Many of our colleagues arrested, harassed and intimidated by the men of the police force across the country for performing their official duties have received our prompt attention and assistance.

Again, in December 2024, the NBA-HRI, organized a historic sixteen days of Human Rights Activism where lives were touched, suspects in police custody gained freedom and those in correctional centres were released. NBA Branches were given merit awards for their outstanding contributions in making the event worthwhile.

Some of our distinguished colleagues assisted us in making the above event a reality, permit me to mention them here: Our president, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, Emeka Ozoani SAN, Akinboro SAN, Emeka Obegolu SAN, Paul Harris Ogbole SAN, Paul Daudu SAN, Dr. Ndarani Mohammed Ndarani SAN, Jonathan Taidi SAN, Mrs. Ada Edozie and other great colleagues. We are sincerely grateful and pray almighty God to reward all of you a million fold.

Furthermore, this administration Identified insecurity as one of the major problems bedeviling our country and as a result the human rights institute organised and held three summits that tackled insecurity. The first was held in Enugu with the theme: “South East Stakeholders Summit on Insecurity and Human Rights Abuses” in February 2025.

The second was held in the west at Ibadan in July 2025 with the theme: “Human Rights, Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice “. The third was held in the North, Makurdi to be precise. from 27th to 30th July, 2025 with the theme: “Strengthening Security, Rule of Law and Justice Delivery in the North Central Nigeria “.

As we gather here at the AGC, let us reflect on the critical role the NBA plays in upholding justice and human rights in Nigeria. ” Justice is not just a word, it is our duty. It is our mission “.

And in this call for urgent reforms in different parts of Nigeria, I am reminding us once again that: “Safety and security don’t just happen; they are the results of collective consensus and public investment”

These are not abstract ideals, they are a mandate. A Nigeria whose citizens fear tomorrow is a Nigeria whose hope is already lost.

Colleagues, we live in a time where human life is cheapened, where corruption is normalized and where power is often exercised without accountability. But if the Bar remains courageous, society cannot collapse into lawlessness.

Let the world hear it clearly from this conference: the Nigerian Bar Association Human Rights Institute will not be a sleeping institution. We will be the conscience, the courtroom and the candle in the dark.

Vision Forward

How will we do this?

1. To Create Rapid Response Human Rights Desks across the country, starting from the six geopolitical zones, so no violation goes unanswered.

2. Community Human Rights Clinics, bringing legal aid to the people in their own towns.

3. Strategic Advocacy Campaigns turning cases like Comfort Emmanson, Ms Jenifer Elobor and many others into spring boards for systemic reforms

4. Collaborations with state actors and international partners to transform outrage in to law, and pain into policy.

Conclusion

Colleagues, history will not remember us for the cases we won in court. It will remember us for the people we defended outside it. It will remember whether we stood silent when our brothers were slaughtered in their farms. It will remember whether we ignored a young woman’s dignity because she was only a passenger or because another was just a Youth Corp Member. It will remember whether we allowed Nigeria to sink, or whether we lifted her up by the arm of justice.

Let us be bold. Let us be united. Let us be remembered as the generation of Lawyers who refused to be cowed by injustice. And so, with the blessing of our President, the wisdom of the Vice President and the mandate of this great Association , I declare: the Human Rights Institute has awakened and we will not rest until justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. The proactive bar shall always do her best in protecting Nigerians in general and our colleagues in particular from the abuse of their rights.

I must part here to acknowledge that in carrying the weight of this office, I am never alone. The mandate we carry as vice presidents of this noble association is a shared responsibility. Working alongside the indefatigable 2nd vice president, Mrs Bolatumi Olasunbo Animashaun, and the ever resourceful 3rd vice president , Mrs Zainab Aminu Garba, we form a united front in service to you, our members and to the cause of justice. ours is not a journey of titles but of teamwork, for I recognize deeply that without them, this work cannot and will not be done.

I appreciate the Nigerian Bar Association and NEC for giving me the opportunity to serve this great Association. I can‘t thank you enough.

Thank you once again, God bless the Nigerian Bar Association, God bless Nigeria.

Sabastine Anyia Esq
First Vice President.

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