Sequel to the arrest of Aminu Muhammed, an undergraduate student of Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State, over a post on Twitter, alleging Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, was ‘feeding fat on poor citizens’ money,’ the office of the Economic Community of West African States Youth Ambassador, Richard Solomon, has called for the immediate release of the student.
The ECOWAS youth ambassador said citizens had the right to criticise the government without fear,according to Punch.
“Citizens should be free to criticise government authorities on social media platforms.
“In fact, government’s conducts aimed at impeding constructive criticism are an infraction of constitutionally guaranteed rights. Criticism is something which preserves the true essence of democracy in a country,” he said.
He added that the arrest and detention of the young man was unconstitutional and draconian a breach of his fundamental human rights.
In his words, “Human rights are sacred and sacrosanct and must not be trampled upon by anybody regardless of their position in the society. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) reiterates the above provisions of the United Nations Charter on Human Rights when it guarantees in Section 35, the right of every person to his or her personal liberty, except where such liberty is encumbered or restrained or controlled by the due process of the Law; i.e. the execution of a Court Order or Judgment.
“In line with the imports of this constitutional provision, it is quite apparent that there was neither a valid cause of arrest nor the application of the due process of law.”
According to Solomon, ECOWAS Youth Council was established to minimise and respond swiftly to the demanding challenges of the West African youth, as such, the organisation was prepared to fight and agitate relentlessly until the eventual liberation of Mohammed.
Also, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has joined the calls for the immediate release of the 500-level student.
Sowore in a Twitter post wrote: “#FreeAminu It is unbelievable and unprecedented that First Lady @Aisha Buhari participated in the torture and assault of Aminu, even fracturing her leg as a result. The poor guy must have suffered internal/external injuries. @PoliceNG must release #FreeAminu with immediate effect.”
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