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 today 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. 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.
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 today 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. 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.
Read more https://nairalaw.com/serap-condemns-harassment-of-ibbs-spokesman-kassim-afegbua/