A pro-democracy group, Leaders and Accountability Initiative, has appealed to the international community, Amnesty International and other human rights groups to pay close attention to “human rights” abuses under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
It warned that unless Buhari was checked early, his actions may have devastating consequences that will take Nigeria back to the dark days.
A statement issued in Abuja on Friday and signed by Country Coordinator, Prince Henry Nwazuruahu Shield and scribe, Elder Ndem Ndem, maintained that “the Buhari of today is not different from when he was a military dictator”.
The group cited examples of the “violation” of the rights of ex-NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), ex-CSO to Goodluck Jonathan, Gordon Obuah, invasion of the Akwa Ibom State Governor’s lodge and raid on the residence of former Sokoto Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa by security operatives.
Continuing the group said, “Buhari’s dictatorship was earmarked by chilling human rights abuses which included draconian decrees exemplified by Decree 20 under which the judicial murders of Nigerian citizens, Lawal Ojuolape, Bernard Ogedengbe and Bartholomew Owoh were authorized by Buhari. Particularly, Ogedengbe was murdered for a crime that did not carry the death penalty at the time it was committed in violation of the universal revulsion of ex post facto laws.
“After his vow to be fair, ensure due process and respect the rule of law to win the goodwill of the United States, Buhari returned to Nigeria to do what he knows best. He went after perceived opponents in the name of fighting corruption.
“Prominent are the vendetta against Dasuki, and former CSO to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Gordon Obuah. The latter nearly died in DSS’s custody. Buhari has placed Dasuki under house arrest, confiscated his passport, charged him with fire arms and money laundering violations, and sought a secret trial to prevent independent scrutiny.
“He is doing all these despite Justice Adeniyi Ademola insistence that an accused is presumed innocent before the trial, and that a citizen’s health is paramount before the law.
“The judge ordered the government to release Dasuki’s passport but this has not happened. Dasuki’s house is presently under siege, a microcosm of the Bosnian Serb siege of Sarajevo. Even though Dasuki returned to court and won with Justice Ademola making the famous statement ‘my own orders will not be flouted’, government is looking the other way.
“It is instructive to note that while the government should recover monies stolen by past government officials, and thereafter prosecute those found wanting, anti corruption agencies must not violate the fundamental human rights of the people.
“Dasuki is yet to travel because he is technically barred by the Department of State Services (DSS). The Air Vice Marshal O. N Ode (Rtd) panel set up to probe the arms deals has already submitted an interim report indicting Dasuki and a host of others. Buhari has acted by ordering their arrest.
“However, whether there is substance in the allegations of fraudulent arms contracts leveled against Dasuki must be proven in the court. The president should not violate standard rules and procedures of investigations.”
The group further lamented that the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mustapha Malami, rather than protect the rights of citizens, said the detention of Dasuki was in public interest.
It reminded the APC-led government to remember that Nigeria;s democracy is being monitored and that flouting court orders would only damage the goodwill it enjoys from world powers and the entire international community.
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