..says it’s unacceptable
Lagos based legal practitioners, Mike Ozekhome and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa both SANs have protested the arrest, detention and dehumanization of Lekki Tollgate protesters by the security operatives in Lagos.
Both Senior advocates in separate press statement both said the actions of the security operatives are unacceptable and therefore called for the immediate release of arrested protesters.
Ozekhome stated that the arrest and detention of peaceful protesters is totally unconstitutional.
He stresses that section 40 ans 41 of the constitution give citizens right to protest.
He stated, “The arrest, taking away in a Black Maria, and detention of peaceful protesters at the Lekki tollgate today is patently illegal and totally unconstitutional.
“At least the Nigerian Constitution has not been abrogated by this dictatorial government of impunity.
“Sections 40 and 41 of the said Constitution give Nigerians the right to peaceful assembly and association, and the right to freedom of movement.
“Even under military dictatorships, as one of the founding fathers of the the Civil Liberties Organisation – (the first indegenous human rights organisation in Nigeria founded on 15th October, 1987), I was allowed to demonstrate and protest on the streets by successive military juntas.
“The protesters have done no wrong to protest. It has not been shown that it was violent. Is the Federal government truly saying Nigerians should no longer protest?
“Then, the FG should dissolve the people and select or elect another one of its choice.”
On his part, Adegboruwa who is a member of the Lagos Judicial Panel sai he was “sorely troubled” to see videos showing arrested protesters being subjected to alleged acts of brutality by the police.
He said the latest police action brings to question his continuous participation as a member of the #EndSARS panel.
He stated: “My heart is very heavy. I’m saddened and devastated. My soul is sorely troubled at this time.
“For decades before the advent of this administration, Nigerians have risked their lives, liberties, their times and their energies, their resources, to win back this country on the side of democracy and good government, from military dictatorship. Some have paid the supreme price with their lives.
“I have been monitoring events at the Lekki Toll Gate since morning, and I am totally overwhelmed with the images, videos and sundry evidence of police brutality of armless civilians, who ventured to protest at the Toll Gate. In one particular video, I saw citizens of Nigeria being dehumanized, striped half naked and cramped together in a rickety bus. This is totally unacceptable.
“While we are yet to come to terms with the events of October 20, 2020, it becomes worrisome that the security agencies have not learnt any positive lesson from those occurrences. I commend the protesters for their peaceful conduct.
“I cannot in good conscience continue to sit at any Panel of Inquiry to heal wounds and end police brutality, when fresh assaults are being perpetrated with impunity. Consequently, I am presently consulting with my constituency within the civil society, as to my continued participation in the EndSARS Judicial Panel.
“I hereby demand the immediate release of all those arrested in connection with the peaceful protest at the Lekki Toll Gate today. On no account should anything happen to any of them while in the custody of the police.
“I appeal for calm on all sides, in order not to escalate the worsening security situation across the land. I cannot fail to point out the fact that the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is a product of protest and civil disobedience. Let history vindicate the just.”
