Tension in Abuja as lawyers protest

There was tension on the streets of Abuja, yesterday, as protesting lawyers and civil society groups
under the aegis of Lawyers in Defence of Democracy and Citizens for good governance,
 kicked against what they described as attempt by
the Federal Government to silence the judiciary and calls for the affected judges to step aside.

The lawyers after briefing journalists, yesterday, at the Merit House, Maitama,
 Abuja immediately took to the streets and stormed the Federal High Court Abuja,
 Attorney General’s office, National Human Rights Commission,
Aso Rock, Supreme Court and National Assembly, where they insisted that judges
must not step down as that will be victory for tyranny and intimidation.

During the protest, major roads were barricaded and there was palpable tension
as the protesters met stiff resistance from security agents, who blocked them
on the road leading to the Three Arms Zone as they insisted on marching to Aso Rock.

The Joint Convener of the protesters, Barrister Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere said:
“We Lawyers in Defence of Democracy and Citizens for Good Governance reject the call
for the judges, whose homes were invaded by the DSS, to step aside as heeding the call
will be a victory for tyranny and gradual return to Kokoma democracy. We dissociate
ourselves from such call.