Socio-Economic Rights and
Accountability Project (SERAP) has “strongly condemned the intimidation and
harassment by the police of Kassim Afegbua, spokesman of General Ibrahim
Babangida over a statement he issued on behalf of the former military president.”
The Inspector-General of Police,
Ibrahim Idris last night declared Afegbua wanted over the statement he issued
on Sunday.
Idris ordered the arrest of
Afegbua for “making false statements, defamation of character, and for an act
capable of instigating public disturbance.”
But SERAP in a statement on
Tuesday by its deputy director Timothy Adewale said, “Everyone has the right to
speak out about political or other public interest issues. To do so cannot
qualify as ‘making false statements’. And it’s certainly not ‘defamation of
character’ let alone rising to ‘an act capable of instigating public
disturbance.’ It is the essence of democracy and human rights. Declaring
Afegbua wanted is unwarranted because there is no evidence of inciting violence
against him.”
According to SERAP, “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 statement read in part:
“Afegbua’s statement is within reasonable limits, and entirely within his
constitutional right to freedom of expression. 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.”
It would be recalled that the
statement which Afegbua issued on behalf of Babangida detailed the alleged
failings of Buhari and called for the emergence of a younger, vibrant leader
that could tackle the country’s 21st-century challenges headlong. But few hours
after the first statement was released, another one reportedly signed by
Babangida was made public. The statement denied the critical issues raised in
the first one.
http://dailypost.ng/2018/02/04/breaking-2019-ibb-tells-nigerians-vote-buhari-reveals-will-support-full-statement/
However, Afegbua insisted that
Babanginda authorised the statement he issued. Babangida also reportedly
confirmed to THISDAY that the statement which Afegbua signed on his behalf
still stands.
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