Lawyers fault Mbu, say he lacks powers to ban protest Some lawyers have faulted the directive by Mbu, saying that the Nigeria Police lacks the constitutional power to ban protest by Nigerians The lawyers including Malam Abaubakar Malami (SAN), Prof Awa Kalu (SAN), Mr Ahmed Raji (SAN), Mr Fred Agbaje, Mr Festus Keyamo and Mr Bamidele Aturu described the development as an embarrassment to the country and an affront to the rule of law. The lawyers spoke during separate interviews with LEADERSHIP yesterday. Malami said, “It is a clear infringement on the rights of the protesters to express themselves. The rights to organise a peaceful protest is guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.” Kalu said, “Protest is part of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. The ban is not healthy for our democracy at all. They have the right to stage a protest if they are aggrieved. The ban is an infringement on the rights of the protesters.” Raji said, “The security of the country is very important at this moment. Individuals have the rights to protest but when such protest threatens the security of the country, the authorities have the right to take some steps to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order.” Agbaje : “This kind of proclamation is unconstitutional. It is an affront on the constitutional right of Nigerians to expression. Any Public Act provision purportedly being acted upon by the police in making this order is an affront to both the rights of every Nigerian to movement and expression. That kind of order can only be tolerated under a military government. No law can justify the order and it must be withdrawn immediately. “This order is an embarrassment to the federal government and it can further lower the government in the eyes of the international community that is collaborating with them to rescue the adopted girls.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 09:22:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015