A Consortium of lawyers operating under the Lawyers of Conscience Forum have forewarned against intimidation or attempt to harass any member of the Affected Salary Arrears Legislative Aides as they continue to push for their payment.
In a statement which was signed by the Forum’s Attorney-General, Barrister Joshua Okahand sent to CAPITAL POST in Abuja on Monday, said the Forum’s attention has been drawn to the probability of harassment and intimidation of some legislative aides championing agitation for payment of two years salary Arrears.
The lawyers drew attention of the authority concerned to the provisions of the relevant laws that supported actions of citizens ton demand for their rights, adding that there was breach of their fundamental human rights from any quarters, the Forum would take legal action.
Part of the statement read: “Our attention have been drawn to high level attempts to intimidate, harass and or arrest Legislative Aides of the National Assembly on the legitimate pursuit of payment of salary arrears which has become due and payable since June, 2019.
“We strongly view this as a breach of their fundamental human rights as guaranteed under Chapter 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended); The African Charter on Human and People’s Rights; The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other instruments (including protocols) in the United Nations human rights system.
“We call on all those plotting these despicable acts and their collaborators to desist forthwith as we have put in place appropriate mechanism and a consortium of sound legal minds to approach the Federal High Court of Nigeria and offer pro bono legal services to enforce the fundamental rights of the affected legislative Aides with reliefs for substantial cost against such persons or institutions once it becomes apparent that the legislative Aides’ rights “…has been, is being, or is likely to be infringed…”
CAPITAL POST on Sunday reported the preparedness of the Affected Salary Arrears Legislative to embark on protest over the National Assembly CNA’s refusal to offset salary arrears despite the statutory releases to that effect.
