JUST IN: Civil Society Organisations stage protest in Abuja over NGO bill (photos)
- Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria sued the National Assembly over a month ago due to the controversial NGO regulation bill
- The groups urged the National Assembly to stop further deliberation on the bill complaining that it would violate their right to freedom of expression and peaceful association
- They have followed up their court case with a procession across major roads in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to protest against the bill
Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria have taken over major roads in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to protest against the controversial bill.
The groups are calling on the National Assembly to stop further deliberation on the bill complaining that it would violate their right to freedom of expression and peaceful association.
One of the leaders of the group is the former chairman of the NHRC, Chidi Odinkalu. Photo credit: Order Paper
They have since filed a case in court against the bill in a Federal High Court in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.
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The groups are marching across major roads in Abuja against the NGO bill. Photo credit: Order Paper
Order Paper reports that the groups stopped at some point during the protest to say a prayer.
The former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, who is among those leading today's protest had described the bill as unnecessary.
The CSOs are demanding that the National Assembly stop deliberations on the NGO bill. Photo credit: Order Paper
According to him, there are already enough existing laws that only need to be implemented, adding that the NGO bill seeks to muscle NGOs and CSOs.
READ ALSO: Resist NGO bill, it will cripple churches, mosques – Fani-Kayode
The protesters say the legislature should focus more on other pressing issues. Photo credit: Order Paper
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Source: Naija.ng