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.
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“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”
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“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.
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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.
