Cultism: NBA cautions Gov. Okpebholo against violation of suspects’ rights

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, has cautioned Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, not to trample upon the rights of the people in the guise of fighting cultism in the state.

The association advised Okpebholo to guard against generalization, a situation where people are arrested indiscriminately and hurriedly brought to court without proper investigation in the name of fighting cultism.

NBA said the current violation of suspects human rights in the ongoing clampdown on cultism in Edo State was worrisome.

A statement jointly signed by Ekama Itohan, Vice Chairman, Benin NBA who also doubles Chairman, Human Rights Committee of the NBA, and Emmanuel Okorie, Secretary of the NBA, expressed deep concern over the mass arrests and arraignments of young men and women allegedly linked to cult activities without adherence to due process.

According to the NBA, many of the arrested individuals are being brought before courts without credible investigations or substantial evidence, a development it warns could erode the integrity of the state’s judicial system.

“The practice of remanding suspects without proof of evidence is a relic of the past and has no place in our modern legal system,” the statement said.

The NBA emphasised that while it supports efforts to tackle cultism and violence, such measures must be rooted in the rule of law and must not trample on the fundamental rights of citizens.