NIM CONDEMNS ORDER OF ARREST ON PRINCE KASSIM AFEGBUA

The Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM )- a Pro democracy movement seeking to revolutionize the Nigerian political landscape by giving political power to new breed ideologically grounded successor leaders by 2019 has  condemned in strongest terms the intimidation and harassment of Prince Kassim Afegbua, an accomplished lawyer and spokesman of Former President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, by the Nigerian Police over a statement he issued on behalf of the former Nigerian military leader.

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Monday night declared Prince Afegbua wanted over the statement he issued on Sunday and subsequently ordered the arrest of Afegbua for allegedly “making false statements”, defamation of character, and for an act capable of instigating public disturbance”.

According to a statement by Barrister Fatima Bako (Head of Publicity) – Nigeria Intervention Movement (NIM), the group having closely assessed and analysed the said statement and issues around the said publication, are of the considered opinion that the IGP’s order flies in the face of due process, decency, and the rule of law. The group said it’s trite that everyone has the right to expression as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic. And to exercise such right with a mandate from his Principal, cannot qualify as ‘making false statements, let alone amounting to “defamation of character and not the least ‘an act capable of instigating public disturbance.’ while addressing issues of national importance

The pro-democracy group therefore posit that declaring Prince Afegbua, a renowned lawyer and accomplished journalist wanted is preposterous, unwarranted and smacks of official recklessness. More so when there was no overarching evidence of incitement or any act capable of causing violence attributed to him. The IGP’s order declaring him wanted simply for exercising his right to freedom of expression sign post an oppressive and authoritarian government.

NIM therefore implore the Nigeria police to immediately withdraw its unlawful and intimidatory declaration and desist from further overheating the polity, with this kind of obnoxious and thoughtless order and undue harassment. The group also takes this opportunity to implore President Muhammadu Buhari to swiftly call the IGP to order and publicly instruct the Police authorities to give Prince Afegbua adequate protection henceforth as NIM will hold the Federal Government responsible for any untoward occurrence to Afegbua.

Barrister Bako ended by saying that the IGP and the Nigeria Police need not be reminded that the country was already standing on a precipice, no thanks to serial violence and biting social and economic hardships. And that a further push would certainly be disastrous.