The senate has mandated its
committees on police and judiciary to probe the arrest of Deji Adeyanju,
convener of Concerned Nigerians.
The decision to investigate
Adeyanju’s arrest was sequel to a motion sponsored by Dino Melaye, senator
representing Kogi west.
On Thursday, Adeyanju was
arrested by the police for a murder case that he and some of his associates
were discharged and acquitted.
He stood trial for the case in
Kano in 2000. Before Thursday’s arrest, Adeyanju who is known to be very
critical of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration had spent eight days
in custody.
He was arrested on November 28
and eventually released on December 3. Adeyanju is standing trial on a
two-count charge bordering on cyberstalking, inciting disturbance and criminal
defamation.
Tukur Buratai, chief of army
staff, also accused him of promoting social media terrorism.
While moving the motion on the
floor of the senate on Tuesday, Melaye said the constitution guarantees freedom
of expression of citizens.
“One of my constituents named
Umar Adeyanju Deji was invited by the Nigerian police having been arrested
twice for protest. He is a pro-democracy activist. He has been arrested twice
by the police and released on bail for organising protest in the defence of
human rights and democracy,” the lawmaker said.
“This activist was again
rearrested last Thursday on the orders of the inspector-general of police (IGP)
over a matter that took place in Kano in the year 2000, specifically about 18
years ago. Mr president this matter was decided by a competent court of law in
the Kano division of the high court of justice.
“The court of justice A. M
Haliru, the judgement has been given and Deji Adeyanju and two others have been
discharged and acquitted. Mr president I have the judgement here that I will
lay before the senate. We are in a democracy, where our rights should be
allowed.
“The constitution of the federal
republic of Nigeria has given us freedom of expression, association, freedom of
the press. A situation whereby a security agency of government will be used to
gag individuals from expressing opinions or criticising the government of the
day is not acceptable to me, to the federal republic of Nigeria and should not
be acceptable to the senate of the federal republic of Nigeria.
“We have no other place to cry
except to the senate. It is time for this senate to stand in defence of the
common man, to stand to defence of Deji Adeyanju.
“As I speak, yesterday
conclusions have made to take him to Kano for a matter that has been decided in
a competent court of law. Mr president we need to defend Deji Adeyanju and
every Nigerian.”
The senate adopted the motion
after it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Bukola Saraki.
Thereafter, Saraki referred the
matter to the committees of police and judiciary to report back to the upper
legislative chamber within a week.
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