The Nigeria Police have reacted
to the arrest of social crusader and human rights activist, Prince Deji
Adeyanju and other protesters in Abuja.
Adeyanju who was arrested
Wednesday morning alongside Daniel Abobama and Boma Williams was later taken to
the FCT command of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), for onward
arraignment in court.
In an official statement by the
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Jimoh Moshood, the Police is
accusing Adeyanju and his group of protesters of Criminal Conspiracy, Joint
Act, defamation of character, public nuisance and sundry offences.
“Deji Adeyanju, Daniel Abobama
and Boma Williams contravene the law and were arrested for Criminal Conspiracy,
Joint Act, defamation of character, public nuisance, disobedience to order duly
promulgated by public servant, disturbance of public peace, inciting public
disturbance, threat to public security and safety, criminal defamatory and
derogatory conduct against constituent authority and breach of law and order
under sections 96, 113, 114, 152, 183 and 391 of Penal Code law”, the statement
reads in part.
Moshood said those arrested shall
be arraigned in court in Abuja for prosecution while justifying that their
arrest was done in line with the provisions of the law.
He said, “Deji Adeyanju, Daniel
Abobama and Boma Williams were arrested by the Police within the powers
provided under the constitution, Police Act and Regulations, the Penal Code Law
and Procedures to prevent crime and ensure the safety of all Nigerians”.
The police authority, however,
acknowledged the fundamental rights of every individual as enshrined in the
Nigerian constitution but said such rights must be exercised in such a way not
to infringe on others’ rights.
“The Nigeria Police Force is not
unaware of the rights of every Nigerian to freedom of expression, peaceful
assembly and association, and freedom of movement as essentials of Democracy
provided for by the 1999 constitution, Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended
particularly sections 38, 39, 40 and 41.
“However, these rights must be
observed with decorum, in good faith and without violating the rights of other
millions of Nigerians to free movement and access to safety and security across
the Country.
“The Constitutional rights of
every Nigerian as stated in first paragraph above i.e Sections 38, 39, 40 and
41, these rights are not absolute as section 45 of the same Constitution
provides for derogations to these rights,” the FPRO added.
The Police Spokesman tendered
collections from various Facebook posts of Adeyanju and placards with various
inscriptions, as exhibits, saying they were “capable of inciting public
disturbance, threat to public security and safety”.
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