The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gwagwalada Branch, N.D. Abdulsalam, has expressed appreciation to human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, lawyer Deji Adeyanju, and several NBA leaders and members for their solidarity following his invitation by the Nigeria Police Force.
Abdulsalam disclosed that he honoured the police invitation at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) facility and left at approximately 2:15 p.m., commending the Inspector-General of Police for what he described as a high level of professionalism during the engagement.
In a statement, the NBA chairman particularly appreciated Sowore, whom he described as the father of civil liberty in Nigeria, and Adeyanju for their support, saying he was deeply humbled by their show of solidarity.
He also thanked the NBA FCT Chairmen Forum for its support, particularly the Chairman of the Abuja Branch, Philemon Yakubu, SAN, who led the delegation of lawyers, and the Chairman of the Nyanya-Karu Branch, Alexander Ebi Edim, whom he described as a passionate leader of the Bar.
Abdulsalam equally acknowledged members of the NBA Gwagwalada Branch for standing by him, specifically mentioning his capacity leader, I.A. Aliyu; his friend and brother, Babatunde Akintade Bucknor; Chief of Staff, H.O. Mustapha; Chairman of the Citizens Liberty and Litigation Committee, Owobu Godday; Director-General, Leslie Mukoro; and his Aide-de-Camp, Francis Flexy Obeh.
Other individuals he appreciated included M.A. Alemeru, his Secretary, Eze F. Osinachi, QGB Charles Obehi Abel, I.A. Salisu, Abdulmumin Ismaila, John Adewakun, FIDA Chairperson Dr Joy Mgbeokwere, Jumoke Adeoti, Maria Edet, Tolani Lanky Ajaka and Halima Umar.
He also recognised Joseph Oláwóore, Lydia Egunjobi, Sadi Umar, Daniel Olatunji, Aboki Yusuf, Shittu Haruna, Abbas Adamu, Fortune Alozie Oganiru and Bridget Ochuba for their support.
The NBA Gwagwalada chairman said there were several other important individuals whose names he could not mention individually but stressed that he remained grateful for their solidarity.
He extended his appreciation to NBA branches across the country that demonstrated solidarity, particularly the Chairman of the NBA Ilorin Branch, for standing with him.
Abdulsalam said the support he received reflected the commitment of members of the legal profession to standing on the side of justice against oppression and what he described as judicial banditry.
He, however, stressed that the struggle was far from over, describing the development as the beginning of what he anticipated would be a long fight for justice.
“It is going to be a long walk to justice, this is just the beginning,” he declared.