Ojo Emmanuel, who was arrested over the weekend for allegedly writing
against Gov. Amosu's wife on Facebook was granted bail today at the
Magistrate court in Isabo Abeokuta but was surprising not released.
A man in handcuffs for writing something on Facebook? C'mon people. This is a democracy! You should sue for defamation not putting people in handcuffs like criminals.After meeting the bail requirements as at 4:00pm today the Judge of the State Magistrate court suddenly refused to sign the bail bond of Mr. Ojo Emmanuel. We received news that the sudden turn of event is as a result of an order from Governor Amosun. Ojo has been taken to prison instead of his home. Against the pronouncement made this afternoon." His friend told LIB
Lawmaker Condemns Police Incarceration of Online Blogger After Bail
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
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 Aamosun, 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
Moohammadu Buhari-led administration. " He said.
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