The Osun Civil Societies Coalition has expressed concerns over the continued violation
of human rights by the various security agencies in the country.
The group said though, it was not a new trend but the increasing rate of human
rights abuse as reported by both national and international organizations makes
it disturbing.
rights abuse as reported by both national and international organizations makes
it disturbing.
This was contained in a statement signed by the chairman of the coalition,
Com Waheed Lawal and distributed to newsmen on Tuesday.
Com Waheed Lawal and distributed to newsmen on Tuesday.
Lawal stated that human right abuses among the security agencies had
subjected the country to ridicule among comity of nations.
subjected the country to ridicule among comity of nations.
He said, “As the world celebrates
Human Rights Day today, December 10, 2019, Osun Civil Societies Coalition
(OCSC) uses the occasion to appraise respect for and abuse of human rights in
Nigeria and Osun state. We have observed with keen interest cases of human
rights abuses and total disregard to rule of law with impunity by Nigeria’s
security agencies.
Human Rights Day today, December 10, 2019, Osun Civil Societies Coalition
(OCSC) uses the occasion to appraise respect for and abuse of human rights in
Nigeria and Osun state. We have observed with keen interest cases of human
rights abuses and total disregard to rule of law with impunity by Nigeria’s
security agencies.
“We cannot shy away
from the fact that Nigeria has been subjected to ridicule among the comity of
nations because of the excessive disrespect to the dignity and fundamental
freedoms of the citizens by security agents.
from the fact that Nigeria has been subjected to ridicule among the comity of
nations because of the excessive disrespect to the dignity and fundamental
freedoms of the citizens by security agents.
“While we know as a
fact that human right abuse has been with us from time immemorial, it is
however, disturbing that case of human rights violation is increasing in
Nigeria as reported by both national and international organizations.”
fact that human right abuse has been with us from time immemorial, it is
however, disturbing that case of human rights violation is increasing in
Nigeria as reported by both national and international organizations.”
Lawal who also decried the action of the State Security Service
on Sowore, described it as a desecration on the judiciary arm of government.
on Sowore, described it as a desecration on the judiciary arm of government.
He stated that the SSS
officers were overzealous and conducted themselves in an uncivilized manner in
their bid to arrest Sowore.
officers were overzealous and conducted themselves in an uncivilized manner in
their bid to arrest Sowore.
Lawal said the SSS should
be warned against arbitrariness and frivolity on Sowore’s case, adding that the
law must be allowed to take it full course on the matter.
be warned against arbitrariness and frivolity on Sowore’s case, adding that the
law must be allowed to take it full course on the matter.
He said, “We are
also worried that Nigeria judiciary is being desecrated, as security agents have
seized to accord the temple of justice its maximum respect. We will like to
react to the infamous conduct of officers of the State Security Service at a
Federal High Court in Abuja last Friday while trying to re-arrest Mr Omoyele
Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporter and Presidential Candidate of the
African Action Congress in the last presidential election.
also worried that Nigeria judiciary is being desecrated, as security agents have
seized to accord the temple of justice its maximum respect. We will like to
react to the infamous conduct of officers of the State Security Service at a
Federal High Court in Abuja last Friday while trying to re-arrest Mr Omoyele
Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporter and Presidential Candidate of the
African Action Congress in the last presidential election.
“From available
facts and short videos watched, the SSS officers were overzealous and conducted
themselves in an uncivilized manner in their bid to arrest Sowore. There is
nothing more embarrassing to a nation than seeing an institution (a security
institution for that matter) flagrantly disrespecting the judiciary and poking
it in the eye.
facts and short videos watched, the SSS officers were overzealous and conducted
themselves in an uncivilized manner in their bid to arrest Sowore. There is
nothing more embarrassing to a nation than seeing an institution (a security
institution for that matter) flagrantly disrespecting the judiciary and poking
it in the eye.
“The SSS’s reasons
for the re-arrest of Sowore and the attempt to exonerate its officers from the
barbaric drama that played out during the course of the arrest are laughable,
cheap and demeaning. The SSS would have made the arrest in a civilized and
professional way, instead of bringing disrepute on Nigeria.
for the re-arrest of Sowore and the attempt to exonerate its officers from the
barbaric drama that played out during the course of the arrest are laughable,
cheap and demeaning. The SSS would have made the arrest in a civilized and
professional way, instead of bringing disrepute on Nigeria.
“While we are not
in support of any act capable of truncating national peace and security, it
will be offensive to our ideological discipline, conscience and humanity to
look away from a clear misconduct and disgraceful manner of the SSS at the
court on Friday. We equally detest and condemn any act of brigandage, human
right abuse and desecration of our temple of justice by security agencies.
in support of any act capable of truncating national peace and security, it
will be offensive to our ideological discipline, conscience and humanity to
look away from a clear misconduct and disgraceful manner of the SSS at the
court on Friday. We equally detest and condemn any act of brigandage, human
right abuse and desecration of our temple of justice by security agencies.
“The conduct of the
SSS on Sowore’s matter is inimical to social justice and capable of breeding
anarchy. Sowore is an accused person that has been arraigned in court; the SSS
should allow the court to dispense justice accordingly. We must also warn the
SSS against arbitrariness and frivolity on Sowore’s case. We are worried by the
re-arrest of Sowore because it sent signal of total disregard to judiciary, fundamental
human rights and Nigeria’s integrity.
SSS on Sowore’s matter is inimical to social justice and capable of breeding
anarchy. Sowore is an accused person that has been arraigned in court; the SSS
should allow the court to dispense justice accordingly. We must also warn the
SSS against arbitrariness and frivolity on Sowore’s case. We are worried by the
re-arrest of Sowore because it sent signal of total disregard to judiciary, fundamental
human rights and Nigeria’s integrity.
“Sowore is an
accused person, not a convict and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty
in a court of law. He should not be subjected to inhuman treatment; even
prisoners have right to dignity in the correctional centre.
accused person, not a convict and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty
in a court of law. He should not be subjected to inhuman treatment; even
prisoners have right to dignity in the correctional centre.
“The SSS should stop
disparaging the judiciary in the guise of protecting national security, they
must have regards for human rights and be civil in their conduct. We cannot
have a democratic system in place and be treated like we are in the military
regime.”
disparaging the judiciary in the guise of protecting national security, they
must have regards for human rights and be civil in their conduct. We cannot
have a democratic system in place and be treated like we are in the military
regime.”
