Constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Dr Tunji Abayomi has faulted last Friday’s invasion of the court by the State Security Service (SSS) for the re-arrest of RevolutionNow convener and activist, Omoyele Sowore, citing the scenario as one of the excesses of the operatives that have hit ‘extravagant’ height.
The former chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), who remains a close associate of the Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, noted that as a key component of the judiciary, the court is sacred in every democratic dispensation.
Speaking with Tribune Online yesterday, Dr Abayomi said the State Security Service is putting itself higher than other democratic institutions of the government; increasingly making it looks as if the nation is governed by force and not by law.
‘To me, the excesses on the part of The DSS are extravagant and they ought not to be entertained at the moment. The reason is very simple: the court is sacred in a democracy. What the DSS is basically doing is to put itself higher than the institutions that are much more important as if the nation is governed by power not by law,’ he said.
The former APC senatorial aspirant, who sees Sowore’s continued incarceration by the SSS as an aberration of legal proceedings, said despite having a key responsibility to protect lives and property, a responsible government should not stigmatize its citizen as an enemy.
ALSO READ: TETFUND: Kogi govt lauds FG’s decision to give support to secondary education
Commenting on the claim by the SSS that Sowore was re-arrested because he faulted one of his bail conditions which banned him from speaking to the press, Dr Abayomi said: ‘It is not the DSS responsibility to execute the law. First and foremost, there is no complete court by a prosecutor. If the prosecutor is of the view that there is a violation of the terms of bail, he will lodge a formal complaint to the court and the court will act by making further order. As it is now, DSS is essentially taking the law into its own hands. Basically, DSS is acting outside the control of the law and I think it is unfortunate’.
‘The DSS can re-arrest Sowore but it must be on a new charge. There is arguably no law that stops the operatives from re-arresting Sowore provided there is a legitimate ground to do so. But in this case, the DSS reason for re-arresting Sowore is tied to the very reason for which he was granted bail. And this alone faulted the re-arrest. All that the DSS has been doing is to justify the unjustifiable’.
While reacting to the widespread cases of alleged disregards of court orders by President Buhari’s administration, Dr Abayomi said that it is expected of the government to always refer back to the court with fresh cases anytime it feels a court-ordered release of any activist from prison might threaten national peace and security.
Abayomi, who is the chairman of the governing council of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State (AAUA), stated that issues relating to human rights violation are not limited to geographical boundaries as it hinges on humanity and will always raise global concern.
He further said the recently released public statement by the First Lady, Aisha Buhari condemning the excesses of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Garba Shehu is a clear indication that there is a serious issue in terms of the unity of purpose and understanding within the presidency.