Rubbish
[s]Punchng:
Letter to President on Mbu’s actions
President Goodluck Jonathan, what is it about police officer,
Joseph Mbu, that makes him a persistent controversial
element on matters of democracy and civil liberties in
Nigeria?
In recent times, you have increasingly called for the respect
of human rights in our young democracy, given the painful
history of attacks on the press by some past administrations,
especially by the military era.
Time after time, you have expressed that the Nigerian
government and officials should show full respect for
freedom of press and speech, but here is Mr. Joseph Mbu, a
high-ranking police officer in the Federal Capital Territory,
who was recently elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspector-
General, who appears to be openly defying your crucial calls
for the respect for human rights.
For some reason, this man who, unfortunately, represents
your government appears to enjoy a life of provocation,
bullishness, controversy, boastfulness, and hostile
dispositions.
Mr. President, as you may already know, Mbu, reportedly
ordered the detention of a senior journalist with the African
Independent Television, Amaechi Anakwe, for describing him
as “controversial” during a programme aired by the station.
For this journalist to be brought into the police premises for
his opinion, first as a human being and, second, as a press
communicator, is a dishonour to our continuing efforts
toward strengthening our independence and democracy.
No matter the outcome of this breach of human rights, Mbu’s
behaviour does not bode well for the Federal Government.
The long standing psychological problems of Nigerian police
officials is well known in the nation, and to this very day,
there remains a lack of adequate professional psychological
services for both trainees and serving officers.
Judging by media reports, there is apparently something
wrong with Mr. Mbu’s attitude, which has left journalists more
fearful and uncomfortable. Who will be Mbu’s next victim of
verbal threats, such as Anakwe has experienced?
Mr. President, the fact that this journalist was even called or
“invited” to a security premises like that of the Nigerian Police
Force endangers the protection of free speech and press.
Mbu’s reported behaviour towards the journalist is nothing
short of a tactic to silence media organisations and their
representatives across the country.
It is immaterial at this time how this case ends or whether
Mbu faces internal query by his supervisors, who hopefully
are not intimidated by him. This man’s actions have brought
shame to the Presidency, the police, and have raised
questions about the personal safety and security of
journalists in the country.
The Jonathan administration cannot allow this sort of
behaviour to go unpunished.
Currently, the position of the Nigerian Police Force as recently
outlined by Mr. Suleiman Abba, the new Inspector-General of
Police, is to heighten the image of professionalism in the
force. Therefore, for the good of the entire police community
that wishes to distance itself from its old reputation as a
violator of human rights, officers like Mr. Mbu should be
forced to retire, or face immediate dismissal.
President Jonathan, remember you do not need the United
States of America to keep reminding your administration to
ensure freedom of the press. You yourself have personally
made it clear that one sacred way to honour God and the
people of Nigeria is to steadfastly show respect for each other
as entrenchment in our culture, constitution and country.
•Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi is a forensic and clinical
psychologist and a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria
Psychological Association. Jos5930458@aol.com
www.punchng.com/opinion/letters/letter-to-president-on-mbus-actions[/s]/ |
