- A civil society organisation has condemned the recent arrest order made by the Nigeria Police Force against an aide to Ibrahim Babangida
- SERAP said declaring Afegbua wanted is unwarranted because there is no evidence of inciting violence against him
-The organisation said declaring Afegbua wanted is unwarranted because there is no evidence of inciting violence against him
A civil society organisation has condemned the recent arrest order made by the Nigeria Police Force against an aide to a former military head of state, Ibrahim Babangida.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) said everyone has the right to speak out about political or other public interest issues in the country.
The organisation said the statement released by Kassim Afegbua does not amount to defamation of character let alone rising to ‘an act capable of instigating public disturbance' as claimed by the police.
In a statement signed by its deputy director, Timothy Adewale, on Tuesday, February 6, SERAP said declaring Afegbua wanted is unwarranted because there is no evidence of inciting violence against him.
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Adewale said: "Afegbua’s statement doesn’t contain incitement to violence. Declaring him wanted simply for exercising his right to freedom of expression is the hallmark of an oppressive government. The police should immediately withdraw its unlawful declaration and end the harassment of Afegbua. President Muhammadu Buhari should publicly instruct the police authorities that it’s their duty to facilitate people’s enjoyment of their freedoms, not to hinder them.”
The organisation said Afegbua’s statement is within reasonable limits, and entirely within his constitutional right to freedom of expression.
It added that the allegation that he instigated public disturbance is to say the least, bizarre.
"Expressing one’s opinion is at the heart of freedom of expression, not sedition. At any rate, Babangida is not known to have lodged any complaint to the police on the matter. He reportedly confirmed Afegbua’s statement. Even if Babangida had issues with Afegbua’s statement, it’s not the police’s business to take upon itself Babangida’s perceived cause of action.
“This government is striving to promote Nigeria as a free society and a good place to do business, but people in a country that calls itself a democracy shouldn’t be afraid to speak out about political issues. This kind of action by the police can stifle debate on matters of public interest in Nigeria and have broader chilling effect on free speech.
People may hold and express strong political views. These may sound offensive, but such expressions should not be branded as criminal simply because they involve critical views about the government and authority.
Indeed, the UN Human Rights Committee established pursuant to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party has emphasized that the value placed by the Covenant upon uninhibited expression is particularly high.
All public figures, including those exercising the highest political authority, are legitimately subject to criticism and political opposition. It is absolutely necessary in a free society that restrictions on public debate or discourse are not implemented at the detriment of human rights, such as freedom of expression," SERAP said.
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NAIJ.com earlier reported that the police had confirmed the arrest order placed on an aide to the former military head of state.
The police said Kashim Afegbua is a wanted man.
The police also ordered Afegbua to report to the nearest station anywhere he is in the country.
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Source: Naija.ng
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