The Nigerian Bar Association condemned the killings and said it had begun local and international actions against the Federal Government.
The NBA President, Mr Olumide Akpata, asked the Nigerian Army to immediately identify the soldiers who carried out the attack and dismiss them from service.
He said suits would be initiated by the NBA on behalf of the families of the victims, “for abuse of power, disregard of rules of engagement and the infringement of the fundamental rights (including right to life) of the affected citizens”.
Akpata said these in a statement titled, ‘Nigerian Bar Association condemns the killing of peaceful #EndSARS protesters in Lagos by the Nigerian military.’
He also said the association would immediately commence legal actions against the Nigerian government and the Army at both international and local fora.
According to him, the protesters’ act of misdemeanour of a breach of the curfew imposed by the Lagos State Government did not warrant the use of live ammunition by the military to confront otherwise peaceful, unarmed and defenseless protesters.
“The military high command is hereby requested to immediately identify and name the officers involved in this gross professional misconduct for immediate prosecution and dismissal in line with extant laws,” he added.
The NBA has scheduled an emergency meeting of its national executive committee for Thursday.
The General Secretary of the NBA, Joyce Oduah, on Wednesday issued the ‘notice of Nigerian Bar Association national executive committee meeting’.
Listed as the agenda of the meeting which she stated would hold virtually are, “the state of the nation” and “any other business.”
The notice was addressed to ‘All statutory members’ of the association which she listed as including the national officers, past presidents, and past general secretaries, branch chairmen.
The rest are, branch secretaries, branch NEC Representatives, and chairmen and secretaries of sections of the associations.
“There will be an Emergency National Executive Committee Meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association on the date and at the time specified hereunder.
“The meeting shall be held virtually and members would be sent the link for the meeting.”