You all must have heard about Blogger Ojo Emmanuel who has been detained in Ogun state for allegedly writing about Gov.Ibikunle Amosun's wife,1st lady of Ogun state Mrs Funso Amosun.,He was also was refused bail even after meeting the necessary requirement.I can't believe this is really happening in our democracy era. Na wa oooo read full story below:
A member of the Federal House of Representatives,
Hon. Adekoya Adesegun Abdel-Majid (MHR), representing Ijebu North/Ijebu
East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency has condemned in strong terms the
continuous incarceration of an online blogger and Ogun state citizen, Ojo
Emmanuel Adediran after bail by the Nigeria Police Force.
The lawmaker in a statement issued on Tuesday,
September 29, 2015 stated that the harassment and withholding of Ojo
contravenes the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, 1999 as amended and a direct infringement on his fundamental human
rights.
“As a law-abiding citizen and one who holds the
constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria sacrosanct, I believe an
accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and there are provisions for
the protection of the fundamental human rights of the citizens. In this case
particular, I hold the view that the right of the young man who is being
hounded to the court and paraded handcuffed is totally unacceptable and a
breach of his right to dignity.
“I equally frowned at the manner of his arrest
without first investigating the substance of his allegation; the police claimed
to have only started investigation after he has been arrested. This is alien to
the Nigerian law and Freedom of Expression and human dignity as enshrined in
the Nigerian constitution”
“It is however odious to read further reports
that despite meeting the stringent bail conditions as graciously granted by the
trial Magistrate on Tuesday, 29th day of September, 2015, the governor of Ogun
State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, using his power as the state Chief Executive
Officer opposed the release of Ojo Emmanuel. This, I condemn in clear terms as
reckless and excessive use of state power, calculated at destroying the career
of enterprising young men in the state.”
“I think the law is vast enough to accommodate
redress in the case of any constitutional breach against any individual, the
governor and his wife inclusive, and strong arm tactics from the vantage
position of executive power should be discouraged lest our democracy is
threatened by despots masquerading as democrats. “
“Senator Ibikunle Amosun should allow the law to
take its course and not resort to bending same to suit his whims and caprices
against imaginary, real and perceived enemies and position. It is not for the
sake of reading that Freedom of Expression was enshrined in the constitution
but to protect against the arbitrariness and executive recklessness of
potential despots.
Ojo Emmanuel Adediran has same rights and
privileges just as Mr. Ibikunle Amosun and Mrs. Funso Amosun, and the law
cannot hold the hand of the young man for the delight of the Ogun State
Governor.”
The lawmaker thereby call on the Inspector
General of Police to evoke his power in fulfillment of his avowed policy of
protecting the human rights of every citizens of Nigeria against abuse and
arbitrariness of power mongers to safe this promising young man against the
strong arm tactic of the Ogun State Governor.
“Ojo Emmanuel deserves the protection of the law
and his continued incarceration could not be said to be in good taste. This has
the potential of making mockery of the Change mantra of the President Muhammadu
Buhari-led administration,” he said.
Source: The Trent
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