Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has “strongly condemned the intimidation and harassment by the police of Kassim Afegbua, spokesman of General Ibrahim Babangida over a statement he issued on behalf of the former military president.”

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

But SERAP in a statement today by its deputy director Timothy Adewale said, “Everyone has the right to speak out about political or other public interest issues. To do so cannot qualify as ‘making false statements’. And it’s certainly not ‘defamation of character’ let alone rising to ‘an act capable of instigating public disturbance.’ It is the essence of democracy and human rights. Declaring Afegbua wanted is unwarranted because there is no evidence of inciting violence against him.”

According to SERAP, “Afegbua’s statement doesn’t contain incitement to violence. Declaring him wanted simply for exercising his right to freedom of expression is the hallmark of an oppressive government. The police should immediately withdraw its unlawful declaration and end the harassment of Afegbua. President Muhammadu Buhari should publicly instruct the police authorities that it’s their duty to facilitate people’s enjoyment of their freedoms, not to hinder them.”

The statement read in part: “Afegbua’s statement is within reasonable limits, and entirely within his constitutional right to freedom of expression. The allegation that he instigated public disturbance is to say the least, bizarre. Expressing one’s opinion is at the heart of freedom of expression, not sedition. At any rate, Babangida is not known to have lodged any complaint to the police on the matter. He reportedly confirmed Afegbua’s statement. Even if Babangida had issues with Afegbua’s statement, it’s not the police’s business to take upon itself Babangida’s perceived cause of action.”

READ MORE : http://serap-nigeria.org/ibbs-statement-serap-condemns-harassment-of-kassim-afegbua.ngo/

Imagine! they claimed he made false statement and yet IBB has accepted the statement. I Ask will he still be wanted if he had praised Buhari on IBB's behalf. IGP thinks he will be IGP for life.

It very shameful that incompetent elements in Nigerian police force have reduced the little left hope we have in them to mare rubbish and a waste of shithole .

gerald09:
Imagine! they claimed he made false statement and yet IBB has accepted the statement. I Ask will he still be wanted if he had praised Buhari on IBB's behalf. IGP thinks he will be IGP for life.

the igp is not serious

when asked on channel's TV the spoke person of the NPF said he was declared wanted due to defermation, and causing violence and security. Now IBB son MB said his father never said anything against Buhari. Looking at both cases, both can cause security problems, why didn't they declared MB wanted too, cos the IGP has not investigated weather or not IBB said either. These government staffs think they are gods and dey can say and declare anything with out consequences. Go and get your PVC after we remove Buhari then we deal with our other employees that think they can insult our God given rights. (Animals won dash me human right) #felathegreat

The stupid IGP should declare himself wanted for being biased and sympathetic towards fulani militia. Onye ara!