Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), and a civil society group, Access to Justice, on Sunday faulted the travel ban placed on about 50 prominent Nigerians by the Federal Government which claimed to be fully implementing the Executive Order 6 recently issued by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Falana in a statement asked the President to immediately withdraw the travel ban, but Access to Justice called for the total cancellation of the entire PEO6, which it argued “is unquestionably anti-democratic and a veiled snare for citizens’ rights”.



“The PEO is also a gratuitous piece of dangerous precedent that opens the door to an uncontrollable dictatorship; it can be used arbitrarily and vindictively to fight and muzzle political opposition, and promote wholly politically partisan objectives,” the Director of Access to Justice, Mr. Joseph Otteh, added in a statement on Sunday.

Presidential spokesperson, Mr. Garba Shehu, had said in a statement that the travel ban followed last week’s judgment of the Federal High Court validating the Presidential Executive Order 6 which provides for interim seizure of assets connected with criminal investigations or ongoing trial to prevent the said assets from being dissipated.



But in separate statements on Sunday, Falana and Access to Justice, said the executive order could not be the basis for preventing suspects from travelling.

Falana, who described the travel ban as “superfluous”, because either the court or the various anti-corruption agencies had already seized the passports of the affected persons.

He added that it is an ingenious design to expose the Buhari administration to ridicule”.

He said, “If the Federal Government had done some background check it would have discovered that the names of the 50 VIPs have long been placed on security watch list while their passports have been impounded by the anti-graft agencies or the courts as one of the conditions for admitting them to bail.

“It is public knowledge that whenever the defendants wish to travel abroad for medical treatment they usually apply for the interim release of their passports. Since the courts have taken judicial notice of the perilous state of medical facilities in the country such applications are usually granted.”



He called on President Buhari to immediately withdraw the ban.

He said, “Notwithstanding such judicial indictment of politically exposed persons seeking medical treatment during trial the law has not authorised the Executive to restrict the movement of criminal suspects.

In February 2009, the Federal Government regime directed all Nigerian embassies and high commissions not to renew the passports of Messrs Nuhu Ribadu and Nasir El Rufai (now Kaduna state governor) on account of intra class feud. Both of them were then living in exile.

“But as soon as the attention of former President Umoru Yaradua was drawn to the case of the Director-General, State Security Service v Olisa Agbakoba (supra) he ensured that the illegal directive was immediately withdrawn.”

On its part, the Access to Justice, in rejecting the travel ban, called for the reversal of the PEO6 which it said could be vindictively used to fight and muzzle political opposition, and promote wholly politically partisan objectives.
Otteh said in the statement that the judgment on which the Federal Government anchored the decision for the issuance of the travel ban, made it clear that the Attorney-General of the Federation who is the coordinator of the implementation of the PEO6 could not deny owners access to their assets without a court order.
Its Director said in a statement, “It is also legally warrantless; the government claims the judgment of Hon. Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu on the case involving PEO 6, gives it authority to bar the named persons.
“This is so very untrue: the judgment clearly required the government to implement PEO 6 in a way that is consistent with the rule of law; the court ruled that the government (Attorney General) could not block, freeze or confiscate any funds or assets without an order of court! If the government cannot take property without an order of court, how could it legitimately bar persons (presumed innocent by the law), from exercising their rights to liberty and movement without an order of court?”

https://punchng.com/withdraw-travel-ban-on-50-vips-falana-access-to-justice-tell-buhari/

Hahaha

One day one trouble for the tyrant.

BMCs will ask for pay rise going by the rate at which heartbreaking news has been coming to their camp these days.

tyrany!

The lifeless fossil won't listen.


It's a pity that Nigerians were hoodwinked in 2015. Buhari is incompetent

decree 2 is loading...........

if buhari wins second tenure, south sudan will be a heaven when compared with nigeria


buhari will unleash his full tyranny

Kingosytex:
if buhari wins second tenure, south sudan will be a heaven when compared with nigeria


buhari will unleash his full tyranny

we will be saved and delivered

“The PEO is also a gratuitous piece of dangerous precedent that opens the door to an uncontrollable dictatorship; it can be used arbitrarily and vindictively to fight and muzzle political opposition, and promote wholly politically partisan objectives,”

We are indirectly giving the president dictatorial powers, Buhari would not be there for long.

"Falana in a statement asked the President to immediately withdraw the travel ban, but Access to Justice called for the total cancellation of the entire PEO6, which it argued “is unquestionably anti-democratic and a veiled snare for citizens’ rights”.

“The PEO is also a gratuitous piece of dangerous precedent that opens the door to an uncontrollable dictatorship; it can be used arbitrarily and vindictively to fight and muzzle political opposition, and promote wholly politically partisan objectives,”

Buhari is running an incredibly stupid government.This stupid policy is gonna have far reaching complications.
What Buhar failed woefully to win via the law he now wants to do so via tyranny.Nigeria must be redeemed.

Racoon:
Buhari is running an incredibly stupid government.This stupid policy is gonna have far reaching complications.
What Buhar failed woefully to win via the law he now wants to do so via tyranny.Nigeria must be redeemed.

I tire; where is the place of court of law?

Chai

I WONDER WHY SOME PEOPLE STILL SUPPORT

People who are surprised or pretend to be surprised about Buhari's actions are either poor students of history or just mischievous.

Buhari is a career coupist. His academic defect stunted his rise in the Nigeria military which turned him to a very vindictive filth.

Buhari was involved in the 1966 coup, 1975 coup and the 1983 coup because he saw involvement in coups as the only way to gain favour and guarantee a rise in the Nigerian military.

As a result of his intellectual defect, he flunked many military exams but curried promotions via coups.

I have come to understand that some of Buhari's actions are not entirely borne by his malice but because the geriatric idiot knows no better.

Falana no mind jare, our Government as usual have denied it through Garba Sheu

ignant:
People who are surprised or pretend to be surprised about Buhari's actions are either poor students of history or just mischievous.

Buhari is a career coupist. His academic defect stunted his rise in the Nigeria military which turned him to a very vindictive filth.

Buhari was involved in the 1966 coup, 1975 coup and the 1983 coup because he saw involvement in coups as the only way to gain favour and guarantee a rise in the Nigerian military.

As a result of his intellectual defect, he flunked many military exams but curried promotions via coups.

I have come to understand that some of Buhari's actions are not entirely borne by his malice but because the geriatric idiot knows no better.

Still surprised our elites selfishnessly put this man in position.

Omeokachie:
Hahaha

One day for trouble for the tyrant.

BMCs will ask for pay rise going by the rate at which heartbreaking news has been coming to their camp these days.

BMC is planning on going on strike is their pay is not increased to 50k

gare:


BMC is planning on going on strike is their pay is not increased to 50k

Their work has become very hazardous, with BP hitting the roof.

Omeokachie:



Their work has become very hazardous, with BP hitting the roof.

Thats the contract they signed, nobody send them .

gare:


Thats the contract they signed, nobody send them .

Chei! Dia ris gordu o! Zero chill you gat

Omeokachie:


Chei! Dia ris gordu o! Zero chill you gat

As far as I am concerned they are masquerades, Pretending to be patriots, supporting thieves to earn so little.

gare:


As far as I am concerned they are masquerades, Pretending to be patriots, supporting thieves to earn so little.

Executives can not act as Judiciary at the same time.

gare:


As far as I am concerned they are masquerades, Pretending to be patriots, supporting thieves to earn so little.

this how Hitler started, giving himself powers over constituted authority and established norms
Slowly placing themselves above, the law and the decree as sacrosanct.
Maduro in Venezuela dissolved the senate and created his own of family members and friends.
this is how the all start, slowly eroding democratic institutions meant to keep the president in check so he doesn't abuse his powers.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely that's why we have this institutions because no matter how well intention anyone maybe, they can be corrupted by power.

speedyGonzales:


this how Hitler started, giving himself powers over constituted authority and established norms
Slowly placing themselves above, the law and the decree as sacrosanct.
Maduro in Venezuela dissolved the senate and created his own of family members and friends.
this is how the all start, slowly eroding democratic institutions meant to keep the president in check so he doesn't abuse his powers.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely that's why we have this institutions because no matter how well intention anyone maybe, they can be corrupted by power.

That is why there must be check and balance.