CLO in a statement by its Executive Director, Comrade Ibuchukwu Ezike, described it as an abuse of democratic process for a government that was elected by the people to turn around and use its institutions of coercion to oppress its citizens.
Human rights organisation, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has condemned the invasion of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters in Abuja, popularly known as Labour House, by the security operatives on Wednesday night. CLO in a statement by its Executive Director, Comrade Ibuchukwu Ezike, described it as an abuse of democratic process for a government that was elected by the people to turn around and use its institutions of coercion to oppress its citizens.
SaharaReporters reported on Wednesday night that stern-looking security operatives clad in police uniforms, mufti and masks like Boko Haram insurgents and bandits stormed the Labour House and forcefully broke into NLC’s bookshop, carting away useful materials into their waiting vans.
According to sources, the operatives claimed that the carted materials were used in organising and inciting the protesters of the #EndBadGovernance protests which kicked off August 1, 2024, across Nigeria. However, reacting to the unprovoked invasion, CLO condemned the criminal, unlawful and arrogant manner the law enforcement agencies, predominantly, the police invade the homes and offices of Nigerians and organisations at odd hours, even without court warrants.
Citing instances, the rights organisation stated that on August 9, 2009, a similar treatment was visited on the organisation’s 13, Soji Adepegba Close National Headquarters on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. It said, “Our office was illegally sealed for one year with our key office materials, laptops, books and project facilities carted away till a court order vacated them from our premises. Till date, the police have defiantly refused to obey the judgment of the court that ordered them to pay CLO compensations and return its stolen property.
“Also, under the lawless Muhammadu Buhari regime, police, DSS, EFCC and other repressive institutions of coercion and terror were used to terrorise, intimidate and coerce judicial officers and other men and women of impeccable, strong characters to submission.
“We hold that it is an abuse of democratic process for a government that was elected by the people to turn around and use its institutions of coercion to oppress its citizens.”
CLO said that it was shocking and unbelievable that President Bola Tinubu who had protested against both military and civilian regimes before 2015 can resort to the illegal use of state machineries to threaten and abuse the rights of citizens.
It said, “We demand that the police return carted NLC property without delay and tender an apology to them this flagrant and heinous act. “In similar manner, CLO warns the Federal Government of Nigeria to steer clear of the Russian flag controversy in the aftermath of the #EndBadGovernance protest by releasing all those detained for harmlessly flying Russian Flag in some parts of Nigeria.
“We also urge the government to drop the proposed criminal charges against the suspects and end the case in that way, especially as we have not found a section of our Constitution that criminalises the flying of other countries flags in Nigeria.
“Moreover, Russia has denied any involvement in the flag matter. Nigerian authorities should, therefore, allow the sleeping dog to lie as our country does not have the capacity to engage in any confusion that may culminate in both human and material losses. Let our strong military and other security agencies divert their attention and energies to combatting insecurity threatening Nigeria and leave the Russian Flag matter alone.
“In our thinking, too, Tinubu Government should focus its minds, strength, might and intelligence more on how to address the stinking corruption in the system, hunger, poverty, insecurity and subsidy crisis threatening our country and people before Nigerian youth would return to the protest.”
SaharaReporters.com is an outstanding, groundbreaking news website that encourages citizen journalists to report ongoing corruption and government malfeasance in Africa. Using photos, text, and video dynamically, the site informs and prompts concerned African citizens and activists globally to act, denouncing officially-sanctioned corruption, the material impoverishment of its citizenry, defilement of the environment, and the callous disregard of the democratic principles enshrined in the constitution.
