The national officers of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) arrived Gusau, Zamfara State, yesterday for a Town Hall meeting with stakeholders to address the state of insecurity/banditry in Zamfara State.
The President, A.B Mahmoud, SAN, and his entourage on arrival in Gusau, the state capital, paid a courtesy visit to the Acting Governor of the State, His Excellency Mallam Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammed at his residence.
President Mahmoud stated that the purpose of the visit was to express solidarity with the people and Government of Zamfara State who have suffered from high level banditry for a long time. He informed the Acting Governor that the Bar will engage leaders of communities in Zamfara State to seek a better understanding of what is happening and to explore avenues of ending the incessant violence.
“We are an independent professional body, we are not politicians, we do not side with the politicians; we side with the constitution and the rule of law and the people of Nigeria. Our objective is to promote the rule of law; to promote peaceful coexistence; and to promote peace building and conflict resolution across the country”.
He added that the Nigerian Bar Association believes strongly in promoting the rule of law and particularly the practical enforcement of the tenets of the administration of criminal justice protocol; He said whoever needs to be blamed, the Bar Association will not shy in pointing those blame, and calling whoever is involved to order.
He also used the opportunity to remind everybody, stakeholders, political leaders and all those in authority that mechanisms exist under domestic and international law to hold people accountable for their actions and bring those who are responsible for breakdown of law and order to justice.
He further stated that the bar association is determined to contribute to search for lasting peace solution and good neighborliness in Zamfara State.
In his remarks, the Acting Governor of Zamfara State; His Excellency Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammed thanked the NBA delegation for finding time to come to Zamfara. He expressed his optimism that the Town Hall meeting will afford the delegation the opportunity to have a better appreciation of the happenings in
Zamfara State.
The Town Hall Meeting commences today, Saturday 18th August, 2018.
