Illegal Abduction: Still on Alhaji Maruff Azeez (Tula Oyo) Debacle
At this point that most people already knew the level of lawlessness and illegal act being orchestrated by the Nigeria Army on Alhaji Maruff Azeez (Tula Oyo) since 5 days ago. Should we still keep mute or “SORO SOKÉ”. It should be clear enough that the Public outcry on Media space isn’t to generate comment,it’s to show the world that each and everyone of us aren’t save from the merchants of Nigeria Security Operatives. Should we state it that the outcry on social media is to let the Public realizes that it has happened to one of us who is dubbed like a Father to many,it can happen to anyone tommorow.
In addition,let it be expressly stated that if Lawlessness is synonymous to anything, it’s not in any way different from the Abduction act of Men in Uniform some days Ago. The current state and conditions of Alhaji Maruff Azeez cannot be clearly stated,his well being cannot be guaranteed by the family who doesn’t know where he is not to talk of having access to him. Should we tell the Nigeria Security Operatives that there’s is fair hearing if an individual is find culpable of any offence. Uptill this moment,there has never been any official release or statement by the Nigeria Army to counter the claim that his Abduction was orchestrated by their member.
Let it be on note that The Nigerian Constitution and other International Human Rights provisions frowns seriously on illegal arrest and detention of citizens without sufficient evidence upon which a charge can be preferred against him.
In the constitutional context, personal liberty connotes right to freedom from wrongful or false imprisonment, arrest, or any physical restraint whether in any common prison, or even in the open street without legal justification. The personal liberty of a person may be contravened only in the exceptions in section 35(1)(a-f) of the 1999 Constitution as it is the law that right to personal liberty is suspended once there is reasonable suspicion of having committed a criminal offence.
It is noteworthy that an arrest and detention lawfully made within the confines of the law cannot constitute a breach of a citizen’s right to liberty as encapsulated Section 35 (1)(a-f) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended. That is to say that a citizen who is arrested by the police while legitimately performing his duty and on grounds of reasonable suspicion of having committed an offence cannot be faulted, but the suspect must be brought to court within a reasonable time.
Sequel to the aforementioned,It is; however, correct to hold that detention, no matter how short, can lie as a breach of fundamental right. But that can only be so, if the detention is adjudged wrongful and unlawful, in the first place; that is, if there is no legal foundation to base the arrest and/or detention of the Applicant. Furthermore, Section 5(1) of the Nigeria Police Act 2020 also gives legal backing by providing as follows.
On the final note,as we keep reiterating on faulty process on his Abduction by men in Uniform, as we continue to show the flagrant disrespect to the Nigeria constitution by the Men in Khakhi,Let it be note that before an individual will be crucified or subjected to Inhumane treatment,we must know in clear cut terms what the person has done. If Nnamdi Kanu can still have access to his Lawyer, Alhaji Maruff Azeez (Tula Oyo) should also have.
We only witness what happened to the Present Victim,We don’t know who it might happened to tommorow!!I keep on writing till Justice Prevail!!
Lekan Omo Oladipupo
(Soka, Ibadan)