ENDSARSMEMORIAL: ILLEGAL ARREST BRUTALIZATION OF DAILY POST REPORTER; CLAMP-DOWN AND AND DISPERSION OF PEACEFUL PROTEST BY NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE-AN ABUSE OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TAKEN TOO FAR

(Being a Press Statement of the TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT, Osun State)

Yesterday, members of the Endsars movement, mainly youths took to the street in Osun state and across the world to commemorate one year anniversary of the biggest mass protest in the history of Nigeria. It was on record that these protesters were exercising their rights in accordance with the law. Members of the press were also present to cover the event within the dictates of their profession. 

The protests which started at about 11 am from Ita-olookan in Osogbo,was bid to end at Oke-fia. We want to put it on record that the men of the Nigerian police attacked protesters and reporters with the aim of arresting them and in the process arrested Daily post reporter in the state,Mr Sikiru Obarayese at about 100 meters away from Oke-fia where the protest is bid to be ended . He was arrested on the instruction of The DPO of Dugbe police station who quickly started a process of his arraignment until he was forced to stop after pressures from his colleagues through the commissioner of police. It is also on record that he was stripped naked brutalised and tortured by police men, about 12 of them at Dugbe police division.

Similarly, We want to put it on record that the police and DSSS men has been chasing organizers of the Endsarsmemorial since about 3 days before the protest. This is evident in the way the Commissioner of police has been calling and threatening to arrest one of our the organizers; Olushayo babawale ogunleye. 

Also, efforts were made by the police to stop the press parley that was bid to be held at NUJ correspondence and when the venue was changed,the police and DSSS made further attempts to stampede the press parley. If was further observed that protest organizers was been trailed by some unknown men on a motorcycle around Ogo-oluwa the new venue for the press parley. Worthy of Observation is also that Combined forces of Police and DSSS took charge of the convergence point of the protest, harrasing protesters on arrival.

Based on the foregoing, It is pertinent to state that Protest is a universally recognized fundamental right of citizens and it would never be given up to any security and government agents based on any threat. We hereby wants to equivocally state that the Nigerian police has become a puppet of the ruling class for too long and this should stop. We want to state that the primary function of the police is security of life and property, thus it is our expectation that the police should protect protesters at all time. Hence we demand that;

1 The DPO of Dupe police division and all the twelve officers involved should be investigated and prosecuted for the illegall arrest and torture of Mr Sikiru Obarayese, the Daily Post reporter.

2 The commissioner of police should unravel the unknown men who have been trailing Olushayo babawale ogunleye, One of the organizers of Endsarsmemorial. We maintain that if anything happens to him, the CP would be held responsible.

3 The Nigerian police force should investigate and made public the killers of ALIMI AHMED and MUTIU LAWAL FRESH murdered in cold blood during the univited and provocative visit of Governor Gboyega Oyetola to the barricades at the #EndSARS protests last year October.

4 The Nigerian police force should publicly apologize for attacking, arresting and dehumanizing Mr Sikiru Obarayese.

We want to state clearly that Protests, such as was held yesterday would never be stopped in a democracy, therefore police and other security agency should stop brutalisation of protesters and rather protect them at all time.

Samson Tola

Owolabi  Opeyemi

TIB Ag Coordinator and Secretary.

End Twitter suspension and violations of the right to Freedom of expression

Dear President, Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari,

Dear Attorney General of the Federation, Abubarka Malami




Nigerian authorities have unlawfully suspended access to Twitter for millions of Nigerians. They even directed Media houses to deactivate their Twitter accounts. Those actions are clear violations of the right to freedom of expression, access to information, and freedom of the press.

I call on you to ensure that access to Twitter is unimpeded and that no other restrictions are put in place to hinder access to any social media.

When in the streets, peaceful protesters are met with violent reprisal from the Nigerian authorities. Now their online voices have been silenced as well.




I urge you to guarantee the right to freedom of expression, access to information, and press freedom.

Nigerians’ voices matter.




Sincerely,

Oludele Abiola



You too can sign and share this letter!

Buhari & Malami

EMAIL PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI AND ATTORNEY GENERAL ABUBAKAR MALAMI

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The regime of Buhari must desist from attacking human rights, civil liberties - Festus Ogun

And I begin to wonder why the same Buhari regime that derives joy in detaining suspected IPOB members without lawful justification is the same that treats Boko-Haram members with respect, courtesy and love.

This morning, I was reliably informed that one Emeka Richmond Ngornadi, a businessman, has been arrested and detained by the State Security Service (DSS) since April 2021 for allegedly making comments on social media in support of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and is critically ill in detention. Regardless of whatever crime he’s alleged to have committed, this is an abysmal abuse of human rights that should not go unchallenged. The SSS itself is a creation of law and cannot continue to act as if it is above the law.

Just last week, news came in that a 21 year old lady has been in illegal detention for over 67 days. Glory Okolie was arrested for being friends with IPOB members! What could be more illegal? What could be more vexing? What could be more scandalous? 

After outrage by civil society organizations, human rights lawyers and concerned citizens, the Police shamelessly made a fruitlessly long press statement; making exculpatory explanation of the gross violation of human rights. The Police cannot explain itself out of this messy show of impunity. Whatever the alleged crime of Glory was, she is entitled to fair trial and treatment. 

Under the 1999 Constitution, you cannot detain a citizen beyond 24 or 48 hours. Failure to charge Glory to court within 48 hours of her arrest made her incarceration unlawful and unconstitutional. My position is fortified my the sacred provision of Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution. Sadly, the Police, who are empowered to ensure law and order, are notorious for observing the law in breach. This madness must stop if we want a peaceful country.

Recall that I shared story about my client, Mr. Akintunde Muraina, who was unjustifiably arrested, tortured to the point of death, and released two weeks after ransom was paid. About a year after, he is yet to recover from the cruel dehumanization, trauma and abuse. Yes, the madness will certainly be challenged in the court of law, the solace of the oppressed. But, the fatal encroachment of human rights and dignity shouldn’t have occurred in the first place. 

Hear me: This house we all live in is on fire and we are keeping quiet as though fire is the sweetest thing ever. Without doubt, our country has gone to the dogs and it has never been this worse. 

The regime of Buhari must desist from attacking human rights and civil liberties. You cannot continue setting the dignity of citizens on fire by hiding under the pretext of fighting IPOB members. This calculated attack on Easterners must stop! Human rights are too expensive to be toyed with in this barbaric manner.

And I begin to wonder why the same Buhari regime that derives joy in detaining suspected IPOB members without lawful justification is the same that treats Boko-Haram members with respect, courtesy and love. 

Our country remains a risk unless and until we learn to respect human rights, rule of law and the basic tenets of social justice.

Festus Ogun 

Lawyer and human rights activist

VIDEO: NIGERIA'S former High Commissioner to Indonesia Ibrahim Baba Mai-Sule Almost Strangled to death by immigration officers, Abuja says unacceptable

 

WARNING!!! DISTURBING VIDEO: Viewers' discretion is advised!

A Nigerian Diplomat manhandled by the Indonesian immigration officers. 

NO MORE RESPECT FOR NIGERIA AS A COUNTRY UNDER BUHARI'S DICTATORIAL RULE.

Fundamental human rights: Each one of you has an obligation to do something when you witness an injustice

Photo  taken during an Endears
 Protest in Osogbo 

One morning at our Law Faculty, when our new Lecturer for "Introduction to Rights" entered the lecture hall, the first thing he did was to ask the name of a student who was seated on the first bench: "What is your name?"

"My name is Justin, Sir."

"Leave the classroom and I don't want to ever see you in my class ever!" screamed the unpleasant lecturer.

Justin was bewildered. When he got hold of his senses, he got up quickly, got hold of his books and left the classroom.

All were scared and angry; however nobody spoke anything.

"Well, let's start the class," said the new lecturer. "What purpose do the enacted laws serve?"

We were afraid, but slowly gained confidence and we began to answer his questions.

"So that there is order in our society."

"No!" the teacher shouted.

"So that people pay for their wrong actions?"

"No! Doesn't anybody here have enough brains to know the answer to this question?!" asked the teacher, sarcastically.

"So that there is justice," said a girl timidly.

"At last! One person who is not a complete moron! That's correct.... so that there is justice. And now, what is the use of justice?"

All of us were extremely uneasy with his rude attitude. However, we continued trying to answer....

"To safeguard human rights."

"Well, what more?" asked the teacher.

"To differentiate right from wrong and to reward the good."

"Ok, that's not bad. However, answer this question: Did I act correctly when expelling Justin from the lecture hall?"

All were quiet, nobody answered.

"I want a decisive and unanimous answer!" he shouted.

"No!" we all replied in unison.

"Then could you say I committed an injustice?"

"Yes!"

Then his voice softened and he asked, "And why did nobody do anything in that respect? So why do we need rules and laws if we don't have the necessary will to practice them? Each one of you has an obligation to do something when you witness an injustice. ALL of you! Do not stay quiet, never again! Go and call Justin," he said staring at me.

On that day, I received the most practical lesson in my course of Law. When we don't defend our rights, we lose our dignity, and dignity is not negotiable.

*You can share if you like, It could be helpful in understanding why we should not be docile in our Community but always speak out without fear in favour of the weak, poor and vulnerable .*

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