A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and rights crusader, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa and President, Centre for Change,Dr.Joe Okei Odumakin have condemned Police shooting of Convener of Revolution Now ,Omoyele Sowore at the Unity Fountain,Abuja.
Omoyele and other activists were embarking on a peaceful demonstration when security operatives reportedly shot at them, injuring Omoyele in the process.
Adegboruwa implored the international community to hold the government of President Muhammadu Buhari responsible for anything that happens to Omoyele Sowore, the leader of #RevolutionNow group.
He maintained that Sowore was only exercising his fundamental rights by joining a rally to demand good governance and an end to insecurity.
He said:”Information reaching me indicates that early this morning in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Comrade Omoyele Sowore and other activists gathered at the Unity Fountain for a peaceful protest but they were denied access to the public facility which was cordoned off by the police. From the live Facebook video that I monitored, I saw Mr. Sowore engaging some policemen on the illegality of locking up the Unity Fountain.
“The conversation was civil and without any incident till the short video was terminated. I have however now been informed that shortly thereafter, some armed policemen stormed the Unity Fountain and released what appeared to be live bullets and tear gas into the crowd, with the consequent result that Mr. Sowore is presently in the hospital. It will be heartwarming to know that he has not been hit with any bullet from the alleged shooting.
“I urge all Nigerians and indeed the international community to hold the government of President Muhammadu Buhari responsible for anything that befalls Mr. Sowore on account of the lawful exercise of his fundamental rights. The Unity Fountain is a public place, where other citizens have held protests in support of the Buhari administration in the recent past, without let or hindrance and even with police escorts.
“In the period when President Muhammadu Buhari was leading the opposition politicians, he led several protests across the country, without anyone shooting at him or other protesters. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in section 40 allows freedom of assembly and in section 39, it grants to every citizen freedom of expression. I urge the police authorities to accord full respect for the fundamental rights of all citizens without the usual provocations.
“Mr. Sowore has been the target of criminal prosecution, on account of his non-violent campaign for good governance and accountability. In consequence, he has been restricted to the city of Abuja, outside his home and workplace, away from his family and loved ones. I urge the government to allow Mr. Sowore to be and not to deploy the instruments of state coercion against a single individual, all in the attempt to break and silence him.
“The lesson of the EndSARS campaign is to get all law enforcement agencies to embrace universal rules of civil engagements to avoid the usual casualties that follow their intervention in civil interactions with citizens.
“We cannot run a nation where everyone is held captive and hounded into compulsory silence. Consequently, I urge all protesters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, while the government and its agents should follow the procedure of the rule of law in the maintenance of law and order,” he said.
Dr. Odumakin deplored the treatment meted on Sowore,saying it was unacceptable.
She said:”Nigeria is a democratic country under law and not a dictatorship or banana republic.Freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of movement are some of the fundamental human rights granted to Nigerian citizens by the 1999 Constitution as amended.
“The widely-expressed flaws of this Constitution notwithstanding, it still charges journalists to hold the government accountable to the people.It accords the people the right of peaceful protest, especially when drawing government officials’ attention to their failings and the expectations of citizens from them, which is legitimate.
“We, therefore, condemn the shooting of Sowore as barbaric and an infringement of his rights under the law.These rights include the right to life, which is basic and which no government or its agents can breach in a whimsical way.
“We ask the Federal authorities to call the security operatives to order, fish out the culprits and bring them to trial.The country is on tenterhooks already and nothing must be done by the authorities to heat up the polity further.
“We demand prompt and effective treatment of Sowore and any of his colleagues wounded in the unprovoked assault by the police.All men and women of goodwill must condemn this assault and hold the government accountable.
“Patriotic Nigerians committed to securing a better future for our country must not be deterred by this dastardly act aimed at intimidating them but must redouble their efforts and forge ahead until victory is won. Nigeria shall be free! And the people shall rejoice!
But,The Federal Capital Territory, Police Command, said, its operatives did not shoot Omoyele Sowere, Convener of Revolution now protest at the Unity Fountain, Abuja.
In a statement to newsmen on Monday, the Command’s Spokesperson, ASP Mariam Yusuf debunked the viral message in some sections of the social media purporting that ‘Omoyele Sowere was shot by a female Assistant Commissioner of Police’ at the Unity Fountain
According to her, Police operatives contrary to speculation “professionally restored calm at the Unity Fountain following attempts by a group of protesters to incite public disturbance.
“The protesters who went on the ramapage were resisted by Police operatives in order to prevent them from causing a breakdown of law and order.
“There is no record of such incident as at the time of this release. The Command enjoins residents to remain calm and law-abiding while reaffirming its commitment towards the protection of lives and property within the FCT.”
