THE UNLAWFUL AND BARBARIC INFRINGEMENT OF THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS OF OGUN STATE CORRESPONDENT OF THE PUNCH IS CONDEMNABLE

THE UNLAWFUL AND BARBARIC INFRINGEMENT OF THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS OF OGUN STATE CORRESPONDENT OF THE PUNCH IS CONDEMNABLE

The Press

The Centre for Rights and Grassroots Initiative (CRGI) condemns in strong terms the unlawful, illegal, barbaric and uncivilized infringement on the fundamental human rights of the Ogun state correspondent of The Punch newspaper Mr. Segun Olatunji by the State Security Services (SSS) and demands an immediate public apology for this assault.

It is an indisputable fact that the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended recognizes the fundamental rights of citizens to information which was what this agent of the fourth estate of the realm was constitutionally and legitimately discharging. Also in complementing this onerous societal responsibility, the Nigerian government enacted the freedom of information (FOI) Act in line with the ethos of democratic governance.

Therefore, we are at a loss to explain the Gestapo tactics of the SSS for assaulting the fundamental human rights of Mr. Segun Olatunji as enshrined not only in the constitution but also in the FOI Act and this is not only unacceptable but condemnable. This assault on the media by a security agency (SSS) is a barbaric display of unconstitutional power and has become a reoccurring decimal by security agencies which must be curtailed if Nigeria is to take her rightful place in the comity of civilized countries.

We are hereby calling on the joint committee of the National Assembly on human rights to immediately summon the Director General of the SSS to come and explain this infraction of the law of the land by the SSS.

We are also demanding an immediate and unconditional public apology to Mr. Segun Olatunji in particular and Nigerians in general for this show of shame by the SSS.

We are also demanding the immediate investigation and if found culpable, commencement of disciplinary actions against the Ogun state director of SSS in person of Mr. Okpo, his deputy, Mr. Umah and their PSO.