Stay off Sowore’s case, group tells Amnesty International, Human Right Commission

A group, Civil Society Groups for Peace, Sustainable Security and National Development has warned the Amnesty International and the Human Rights Commission in Nigeria to refrain from commenting on the trial of  Convener of #Revolution Now protests and publisher of Sahara Reporters and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare.

The duo is facing trial for alleged conspiracy to commit treason, money laundering, and insulting the President.

The accused were granted bail last Thursday, after spending 123 days in the detention facility of the Department of State Services but Sowore was rearrested within the premises of the Abuja Federal High Court shortly after Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu presiding over his trial had adjourned the case till next February.

But in a press statement read to newsmen by Convener of the group, Comrade Adamu Matazu, who led his group in protest to the national assembly, they claimed that Sowore was a threat to national security.

Despite the court bail granted the accused, the group further claimed that indefinite suspension of Omoyele Sowore has since been settled by the Supreme Court in the case of Asari Dokubo.

The group cautioned Amnesty International and the Human Rights Commission to stop what it called ”needless meddlesomeness in our national security affairs.”

ALSO READ: Human rights commission begins probe into deaths of 492 Shiites

The statement read in part:” As a collection of patriots we are duty-bound to take a stand on issues that affects our national security and development, and with potentials to cause full pledge conflagration. We have had bitter experience of civil war which consumes over 2 millions of our compatriots, therefore we can’t afford to travel the same road again.

”In a landmark judgement of the supreme court in a case of Asari Dokubo (Appellant) Vs Federal Republic of Nigeria (Respondents) S. C. 208/2006, the supreme court ruled as follows “…where National Security is threatened or there is the real likelihood of it being threatened Human rights or individuals rights of those responsible take second place. Human rights or individual rights must be suspended until the National security can be protected or well taken care of.”

”Against this backdrop, we as the conscience of democracy, human right and undisputable champion of human rights wishes to state the following position.

That there is nothing repressive or suppressive about the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari rather it is a new era of transparency, respect for rule of law and security.

”That where national security is threatened we must join hand with our security agencies in neutralizing imminent threats to our collective wellbeing, safety and security.

”That we are satisfied with the present leadership of the Department of State Service (DSS) led by a seasoned intelligent officer Mr Yusuf Magaji Bichi under whose leadership has brought the needed reforms in the service.

”That we admonish the National Human right Commission to as a matter factuality stop meddling into national security issues in the name of protecting human rights defenders.

ALSO READ: FIRS must sell stamps, collect stamp duties proceeds —Finance minister

”That we salute the DSS and other security organizations in containing all national threats and for safeguarding our democracy and for their tolerance to genuine and objective criticism.

”That we wish to sound a note of warning to Amnesty international Nigeria to stop it needless meddlesomeness in our national security affairs or risk being declared persona non grata by the Nigerian Civil Society Community.

”That we call on both chambers of the National Assembly (Senate and the House of Representatives) to pass a vote of confidence as a resolution of the national assembly on our security agencies particularly the DSS for the daily sacrifices they are making in keeping our country safe and secured.

”That we are using this medium to pass a vote of confidence on Muhammad Buhari led administration for its successes in the war against terrorists, economic saboteurs, bandits and other security threats across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

”That we call on our eminent members of the bar and bench to always put the national interest over and above any other considerations, and never to succumb to blackmail and propaganda churned out by the enemies of this nation.

That we call on the national assembly to grant more powers to the security agencies through new bills and constitutional amendments to curtailed all imagine threats to national security.

That we can on our compatriots to always be mindful of their criticisms when national security is a stake but instead support our gallant men and women in uniforms.

That we call on opposition elements to seek governance through the ballot not orchestrated violence to overthrow a democratically enthroned government. ”