YOUTH RIGHTS CAMPAIGN (YRC) CONDEMNS OCTOBER 2 ARREST OF 9 PROTESTERS IN LAGOS.
OCTOBER 4 BREAKING NEWS: ALL NINE HAVE BEEN RELEASED
WE CONDEMN POLICE PLANNED ARRAIGNMENT OF PROTESTERS WITHOUT PROPER LEGAL REPRESENTATION
The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) condemns the unlawful arrest of nine protesters at Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, Lagos, on October 2, 2024, and demand their immediate and unconditional release.
We remind the Lagos State Commissioner of Police that Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees citizens the Right to peaceful assembly.
Articles 9, 10, 11, 12, of the African Charter on Human and People’s Right clearly provide for the Right to freedom of peaceful assembly.
Section 6 subsection 2b of Administration of Criminal Justice act clearly states the Right of a suspect to legal representation before interrogation.
Therefore, the arrest and planned secret trial of these 9 protesters today at the Ogba Magistrate Court without legal representation of suspect is illegal.
By their actions, the police have not only violated the Constitution of Nigeria but also an international treaty Nigeria is a signatory to.
The Lagos State Police through its high-handedness have demonstrated that its attempt to draw a human face by sharing water and snacks to protesters at the protest ground on October 1 was a pretence.
We demand an immediate and unconditional release of Funmi Robert, Sunday Obasoro, Sikiru Adeagbo, Babatunde, Oyeleye, Akin Okunowo, Dare Toyin, Adebayo Shobogun, Micheal Adeleke and Stanley Akonye alongside a Toyota pick up with registration number SRA 813 XB which was also impounded. The police must respect the right of Nigerians to peaceful protest anytime anywhere.
Francis Nwapa
National Secretary
Youth Rights Campaign YRC
Email: [email protected]