Professor Kingsley Moghalu speaks on the outcome of the 2019
general elections on Channels Television’s Politics Today on April
12, 2019.
A former presidential candidate, Kingsley Moghalu has
faulted the clampdown on some promoters of the recently-held
#EndSARS protests, saying it is unacceptable.
The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
tweeted on Monday that such action is entirely wrong, calling on
the government to retrace its step.
“The clampdown on #EndSARS protesters and supporters is
completely WRONG and unacceptable!” Moghalu who contested the 2019
presidential election under the Young Progressive Party (YPP)
noted.
“I urge the authorities to “reverse gear”. These actions raise
questions about the good faith of the government and risk igniting
even more resistance. Not wise!”
The clampdown on #EndSARS protesters and
supporters is completely WRONG and unacceptable! I urge the
authorities to “reverse gear”. These actions raise questions about
the good faith of the government, and risk igniting even more
resistance. Not wise!— Kingsley Moghalu (@MoghaluKingsley) November 9, 2020
Promoters’ Accounts Frozen
A federal High Court in Abuja had granted the CBN’s request to
freeze the accounts of 19 individuals and a public affairs company
linked to the #EndSARS protests.
Some of the affected individuals include Bolatito Racheal
Oduala, Chima David Ibebunjoh, Mary Doose Kpengwa, Saadat Temitope
Bibi, Bassey Victor Israel, Wisdom Busaosowo Obi, Nicholas Ikhalea
Osazele, Ebere Idibie, Akintomide Lanre Yusuf, Uhuo Ezenwanyi
Promise and Mosopefoluwa Odeseye.
Others are Adegoke Pamilerin Yusif. Umoh Grace Ekanem, Babatunde
Victor Segun, Mulu Louis Teghenan, Mary Oshifowora, Winifred
Akpevweoghene Jacob, Victor Solomon, Idunu A. Williams, and
Gatefield Nigeria Limited.
An #EndSARS promoter, Modupe Odele recently narrated how
officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) stopped her from
leaving the country.
She said her passport was seized by the NIS, although it was
later handed back to her (on Monday, November 9th, 2020).
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Getting my passport back took an entire
village. No way I can mention everyone one after the other but
please know I’m very grateful— Moe (@Mochievous) November 9, 2020
Governed By Law
The Presidency had on Sunday insisted that the country’s laws
must be enforced and those who hijacked the #EndSARS protests would
be brought to book.
“We are a country governed by law. There is a constitution that
states clearly, under section 33, that clearly defines the rights
of citizens to freely protest in a peaceful way but where a
peaceful protest turns into riot, violence and looting, there is a
law and order duty to be performed,” Garba Shehu, President
Muhammadu Buhari’s media aide said on Channels Television’s
Sunday Politics.
“Everyone witnessed the massive looting of public and private
properties particularly in Lagos, Calabar, Plateau, Taraba and some
other states, even the FCT.
“Now, the laws of the country must be allowed to decide, to rule
on wrongdoing on the part of just anybody. I am not particular
about any celebrity or promoter but this country has been harmed
enormously and people should be prepared to account for what they
did.”
Protests Against Police Brutality
Early last month, Nigerians took to the streets, protesting
against police brutality and extrajudicial killing.
The protesters sought the scrapping of the now-disbanded Special
Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the police accused of human
rights abuse.
However, the protests continued after the disbandment of the
unit with the shooting of some of the protesters in Lagos State,
sparking a looting spree and destruction of properties in some
parts of the country.