₦airaland Forum

This is sad and should be condemned by all

This is impunity at it best #FreeAustinOkai

Aufbauh:
Usman Austin Okai is an embittered sectional youth leader whose main grouse with Governor Yahaya Bello is that he is not from the Igala-speaking area.

I don't think his wailing would have been critical and resounding like this if not for the demise of Alh. Abubakar Audu.

Moreover we've not heard the other side yet, so let y'all slow down on your wailing.

coming from a certified nairaland bigot ..hmmm

Those of you from outside Kogi state will think they are talking about a serious person. The guy Austin has just made up his mind that he must be popular and be a constant distraction to government. I bet you guys he his celebrating this arrest deep in his heart. I spoke with him yesterday and I can swear on everything I love and care for that he was just not happy that a group of young Nigerins constitute the Bello led administration. He spent the whole 20mins we spent on the phone insulting an cursing the governor's personal life. Nothing on policies and programmes. It was him who told me the governor has a mansion in banana island. I simply advised him to either support the government or wait patiently to use his power of the ballot he hot mad at me. For those of you who are all claiming you know him, you knw in your minds that am saying the truth about Austin. He told me yesterday morning he doesn't think Gov. Bello is from Kogi and that he didn't win election so he is not his governor. You guys think his quarrel with Bello is on principle? Danm!!! You are wrong. He is just not having it that Bello is governor. I wish him well. My advice to all is participate constructively to governance in your state or wait patiently for elections to come. Would anybody say Dangote is not contributing to Kano state? You can contribute in your own small way. We must not all talk about governance, we can invest in our state and help government employ our youths and even do projects. Just my opinion. Right or Wrong.

azimibraun:
Those of you from outside Kogi state will think they are talking about a serious person. The guy Austin has just made up his mind that he must be popular and be a constant distraction to government. I bet you guys he his celebrating this arrest deep in his heart. I spoke with him yesterday and I can swear on everything I love and care for that he was just not happy that a group of young Nigerins constitute the Bello led administration. He spent the whole 20mins we spent on the phone insulting an cursing the governor's personal life. Nothing on policies and programmes. It was him who told me the governor has a mansion in banana island. I simply advised him to either support the government or wait patiently to use his power of the ballot he hot mad at me. For those of you who are all claiming you know him, you knw in your minds that am saying the truth about Austin. He told me yesterday morning he doesn't think Gov. Bello is from Kogi and that he didn't win election so he is not his governor. You guys think his quarrel with Bello is on principle? Danm!!! You are wrong. He is just not having it that Bello is governor. I wish him well. My advice to all is participate constructively to governance in your state or wait patiently for elections to come. Would anybody say Dangote is not contributing to Kano state? You can contribute in your own small way. We must not all talk about governance, we can invest in our state and help government employ our youths and even do projects. Just my opinion. Right or Wrong.

If what you say about this Austin is true, then he reminds me of Minister Rotimi Amaechi.
And if it is true, the authorities don't need to fall into the temptation / error of arresting him without reason?
After all, they inadvertently eventually elevate him to a higher status politically by doing so.

They finally catch this boy he's so annoying and abusive, he will get sense after eating dry garri for two weeks in that prison.

It would seem that arresting bloggers for their publications is counter-productive. Why? The person getting the blogger arrested ends up making him more popular, and probably richer.

Case study: I didn't know Austin Okai until I opened this #FreeAustinOkai thread minutes ago. Since then, I have visited his Hope For Nigeria blog out of curiosity. And you know what? That has increased his blog traffic and probably adsence revenue. And I don't think I am the only one who will visit the blog out of curiosity.

Lesson to politicians that like arresting journalists: if someone has written falsehoods about you, you can charge the person for libel and that will make the person sweat. Example: When AIT wrote things Jagaban Bola Tinubu thought were libelous, he didnt go about getting AIT journalists arrested. He simply sued them for libel, and they ended up begging him, apologising, and probably losing a lot of money from the lawyer's fees and also from the Loss Of Trust fRom many of their readers.

To arrest a journalist/blogger for criticizing you is to make him more popular. Sue him instead and if he is wrong, you have done good and even readers and the people will applaud you.

#FreeAustinOkai

Noted

Its really unfortunate having this guy as a governor! #FreeAustinokai

Someone here needs your help:
https://www.nairaland.com/3724994/please-ss-nairalander

You will never hear the so called PDP Shearman cherif fighting for his party members or even making a stance as an opposition party chairman,he is only interested in causing division in the party.

Why shouldn't they have arrested buhari for the Scam called "change" he pulled on Nigeria.

wetin concern Radio Biafra and PDP ? or are they one force ?

The guy is not an opposition figure as touted by the OP he's an ethnic bigot who hates the Ebira people of Kogi. He spreads lies and misinformation to the public.
I would have ignored him if I were the governor like how Buhari ignored Fayose .

Garrithe1st:
How deep is your knowledge of the man's activities?

Once more being in the opposition shouldn't be used as a veneer for engaging in criminal activities.

My frd shut your dirty mouth lets hear word.

Garrithe1st:
How deep is your knowledge of the man's activities?

Once more being in the opposition shouldn't be used as a veneer for engaging in criminal activities.

shut your silly mouth. Do you have proof of his criminality? Swerve jor

"The Right to Freedom of Expression

In every democratic society, each and every member of the society is granted the right to freedom of expression. In Nigeria, this right iscontained in the provision of S. 39 of the 1999 Constitution.

However, this right comes with its own limitations. If this freedom is left unfettered, it is sure to be abused by members of the society. This is why it is provided for in S. 39 (3) and S. 45 (1) of the Constitution that the provisions of S. 39 would not invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.

Also, in determining the extent of a person’s right to freedom of expression, the court per Ademola CJ in the case of DPP vs. Oby[1]stated:

A person has every right to discuss any grievance or criticise, canvass and censor the act of government and their public policy. He may even do this with a view to effecting a change to the party in power or to call attention to some of the weaknesses of the government so long as he keeps within the limits of fair criticism.

It is clearly legitimate and constitutional, by means of fair argument, to criticise the government of the day. What is not allowed is to criticise the government in a malignant manner as described in this case. For such attacks, by their nature, tend to affect the public peace.

It is due to this reasoning by the court that the offence of sedition has to be put in place.

What is Sedition?

Sedition can be aptly defined as any act, speech or publication that is done with a seditious intention. Seditious intention has been defined by the provision of S. 50 (2) of the Criminal Code. It provides:

50 (2) A “seditious intention” is an intention-

(a) To bring into hatred or contempt or excite disaffection against the person of the President or of the Governor of a State or the Government of the Federation; or

(b) to excite the citizens or other inhabitants of Nigeria to attempt to procure the alteration, otherwise than by lawful means, of any other matter in Nigeria as by law established; or

(c) To raise discontent or disaffection amongst the citizens or other inhabitants of Nigeria; or

(d) To promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between different classes of the population of Nigeria

In determining the actus reus for sedition, the court in the case of IGP vs. Anagbogu[2] held that the act of writing an article with a seditious intention is enough to amount to the offence of sedition.

The provision of S. 51 (2) further makes arrangement for situations in which would not be regarded as constituting seditious intention. It provides:

But an act, speech or publication is not seditious by reason only that it intends-

to show that the President or the Governor of a State has been misled or mistaken in any measure in the Federation or a State, as the case may be; or

(ii) to point out errors or defects in the Government or constitution of Nigeria, or of any State thereof, as by law established or in legislation or in the administration of justice with a view to the remedying of such errors or defects; or

to persuade the citizens or other inhabitants of Nigeria to attempt to procure by lawful means the alteration of any matter in Nigeria as by law established; or

To point out, with a view to their removal, any matters which are producing or have a tendency to produce feelings of ill-will and enmity between different classes of the population of Nigeria.

It is further provided for in S. 50 (3) that in determining whether an act was done with a seditious intention, such person would be deemed to intend the natural consequences that would flow from his actions.



The Punishment for Sedition

The Criminal Code in S. 51 provides for the punishment in the offence of sedition. The section states:

51

(1) Any person who-

(a) Does or attempts to do, or makes any preparation to do, or conspires with any person to do, any act with a seditious intention;

(b) utters any seditious words;

(c) prints, publishes, sells, offers for sale, distributes or reproduces any seditious publication; (d) imports any seditious publication, unless he has no reason to believe that it is seditious; shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction for a first offence to imprisonment for two years or to a fine of two hundred naira or to both such imprisonment and fine and for a subsequent offence to imprisonment for three years and any seditious publication shall he forfeited to the State.

(2) Any person who without lawful excuse has in his possession any seditious publication shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction, for a first offence to imprisonment for one year or to a fine of one hundred naira or to both such imprisonment and fine, and for a subsequent offence to imprisonment for two years; and such publication shall be forfeited to the State.

It should be noted that prosecution for the offence of sedition must be commenced within six months after the offence is committed[3]. Prosecution for the offence of sedition cannot be carried out except with the written approval of the Attorney General of the Federation or of the State concerned[4].

It should also be noted that when it comes to the uttering of seditious words, a person cannot be convicted on the uncorroborated testimony of just one witness[5].

References

[1] 1961 Vol 1 ANLR

[2] 1954 vol 21 NLR

[3] S. 52 (1) of the Criminal Code

[4] S. 52 (2)

[5] S. 52 (3)"

Aufbauh:
Usman Austin Okai is an embittered sectional youth leader whose main grouse with Governor Yahaya Bello is that he is not from the Igala-speaking area.

I don't think his wailing would have been critical and resounding like this if not for the demise of Alh. Abubakar Audu.

Moreover we've not heard the other side yet, so let y'all slow down on your wailing.

What is sectional about a man who has been in the forefront for accountable and transparent management of kogi funds. What has bello done with paris club refund and bailout funds. Thunder strike bello

2cato:
Gaging the opposition is the worst evil ever. How i wish gej tried this on apc

You've gone to alter your earlier representation because your fingers type quicker than your brain.


2cato:
Is it not the same guy that campaign for apc to victory i beg make we hear word jor
He isn't APC, he is the leader of PDP Youth Frontiers
(Quote) (Report) 2 Likes (Like) (Share)

Amoto94:
The guy is not an opposition figure as touted by the OP he's an ethnic bigot who hates the Ebira people of Kogi. He spreads lies and misinformation to the public.
I would have ignored him if I were the governor like how Buhari ignored Fayose .

Pls share just one post of his to buttress your senseless post. What is shameful is your attempt to tarnish the whole Ebira tribe with the smelling colours of bello's daylight robbery and cruelty

Congratulations Usman Okai, this stupid act by the Governor has earned you a lot of popularity. Just like how they have succeeded in making Nnamdi Kanu more popular. No one can push you down Austin. Warm up the next Kogi leader.

azimibraun:
Those of you from outside Kogi state will think they are talking about a serious person. The guy Austin has just made up his mind that he must be popular and be a constant distraction to government. I bet you guys he his celebrating this arrest deep in his heart. I spoke with him yesterday and I can swear on everything I love and care for that he was just not happy that a group of young Nigerins constitute the Bello led administration. He spent the whole 20mins we spent on the phone insulting an cursing the governor's personal life. Nothing on policies and programmes. It was him who told me the governor has a mansion in banana island. I simply advised him to either support the government or wait patiently to use his power of the ballot he hot mad at me. For those of you who are all claiming you know him, you knw in your minds that am saying the truth about Austin. He told me yesterday morning he doesn't think Gov. Bello is from Kogi and that he didn't win election so he is not his governor. You guys think his quarrel with Bello is on principle? Danm!!! You are wrong. He is just not having it that Bello is governor. I wish him well. My advice to all is participate constructively to governance in your state or wait patiently for elections to come. Would anybody say Dangote is not contributing to Kano state? You can contribute in your own small way. We must not all talk about governance, we can invest in our state and help government employ our youths and even do projects. Just my opinion. Right or Wrong.

ALL THESE FALSEHOOD YOU WROTE-;I HOPE BELLO HAS DOUBLED YOUR PAY. YOU SHOULD THANK YOUR STARS THAT AUSTIN DOES NOT EVEN KNOW ABOUT HOW BELLO HAD BOUGHT UP HIS WHOLE STREET IN WUSE EXCEPT ONE HOUSE WHOSE OWNER HAS REFUSED TO SELL. BELLO'S GOVT IS POPULATED BY RIFF RAFFS.

5oyad:
Pls share just one post of his to buttress your senseless post. What is shameful is your attempt to tarnish the whole Ebira tribe with the smelling colours of bello's daylight robbery and cruelty

I have read his posts in the past and I won't mining his posts just to satisfy a vain glorious buffoon like you. The burden of proof is upon you not me. He's made disparaging remarks about a tribe and you're here defending the scoundrel, my statement has already been corroborated by others if you care to know. I don't care about Yahya Bello you can view my profile to verify my views about him.

How is this an anti Ebira post? Austin Okhai was a bold voice in the clamour for bello to use kogi funds judiciously not spend it on frivolities like 500m jamboree trip by his wife to dubai.

Aufbauh:
Usman Austin Okai is an embittered sectional youth leader whose main grouse with Governor Yahaya Bello is that he is not from the Igala-speaking area.

I don't think his wailing would have been critical and resounding like this if not for the demise of Alh. Abubakar Audu.

Moreover we've not heard the other side yet, so let y'all slow down on your wailing.

If you don't know anything about Kogi politics why don't you shut up?

its too bad, pdp people are bunch of thieves, Apc people are bunch of pathetic lying scumbags. i wont feel sorry for anything that happens to members of any party

Garrithe1st:
What if he was actually involved in criminal activities?

Being in the opposition shouldn't be an excuse to perpetuate crime.

He did not commit any crime. I am from kogi state. The truth is, APC generally can not bear apposition. It's not Bello's first time. All he and his appointees want is for u to keep singing his praises. Who in this forum will believe there are people still being owed as much as 15months salary in kogi state? You won't here it only cos they dare not talk or demand their right. The claimed it was cos of screening, screening had been completed close to a month ago, yet no show. I fear for Nigeria democracy with the dangerous precedence APC is setting, obviously if APC was in the shoes of Jonathan during last election, they will never concede defeat.

Selective activism. Why are they keeping quiet about Kemi Olunloyo's detention?
Why did they keep quiet when Stephanie Otobo was detained?
All these useless paid activist dem.

TonyeBarcanista:
Austin is a personal friend and comrade, his positions are never sectional

One day, we will rule this nation..... Together

The word "Youth" has been bastardized in the Nigerian context. Is this one a Youth?