Oyigbo Crisis: NBA Set To Render Free Legal Services

The Rivers state branch of Nigerian Bar Association NBA has stated its readiness to offer free legal services to all citizens including security personnels affected in the Oyigbo recent crisis if the state judicial Panel of Inquiry that commenced yesterday extended its term of reference to include Oyigbo crisis in the state.
The first Vice Chairman of Rivers State chapter of NBA, John Martins Akpokpo restated this last Friday in an interview with newsmen in PortHarcourt.
He called on the members of the public affected to reach out to the NBA branches free service desks in the state for proper guidance on how to go about the issues.
“It is obvious that the Rivers State Judicial Panel of Inquiry will expand its term of reference to include Oyigbo crisis in Rivers State, and if that is done we are going to render free legal services not only to private citizens but also to the families of police and soldiers who died in the crisis at Oyigbo.
“Our free legal services is open to all citizens including the security personnel if they approach us.” The NBA Leader said.
Akpokpo said because of Oyigbo issue the state NBA had interfaced with the Attorney General of Rivers State to ensure that NBA had observer status at the sitting of the panel in the state.
He appealed to the panel to give NBA the position of Observer in the sitting of the panel just like in Lagos State that included NBA Lagos as observer in the sitting.
The chairman also expressed confidence in the state panel of Inquiry and said that the members were made of people from difference segments including the representatives of the civil society organizations in the state.
“We don’t have any doubts on the capacities and abilities of the commission, they are drawn from difference segments including the civil society organizations, We have the confidence that they will do justice. “
He called on the members of the public to use the advantage of the panel to express whatever seemed as injustice to them to be addressed properly in accordance with the rule of law.

By:  Enoch Epelle