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Action Congress of Ni-geria, ACN, has said that the recent
proscription order against Boko Haram and Ansaru, desirable as
it may be in tackling the terrorist organisations, violates the Constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria by stifling the press and tampering with the
fundamental human rights of Nigerians.
proscription order against Boko Haram and Ansaru, desirable as
it may be in tackling the terrorist organisations, violates the Constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria by stifling the press and tampering with the
fundamental human rights of Nigerians.
A statement
in Ila-Orangun, yesterday, by ACN’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed, said the order also makes it easy for an increasingly intolerant
government to clamp down on the opposition, which its sees more as an irritant
.
in Ila-Orangun, yesterday, by ACN’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed, said the order also makes it easy for an increasingly intolerant
government to clamp down on the opposition, which its sees more as an irritant
.
In the
alternative, ACN called on the Federal Government to clarify the knotty and
vague areas of the open-ended order, that may end up punishing journalists and
infringing on the civil liberties of the citizens more than it will curtail
activities of the sects.
The party
said: ‘’Against the background of insinuations in government circles, let us be
clear that we do not condone the activities of these sects that have killed and
maimed innocent Nigerians and turned a section of the country into a battle
field.
said: ‘’Against the background of insinuations in government circles, let us be
clear that we do not condone the activities of these sects that have killed and
maimed innocent Nigerians and turned a section of the country into a battle
field.
“Terrorism
in all its ramifications is condemnable, and no responsible government will
allow any group, no matter its name, grievances or ideology, to carry out
terrorist acts unchecked.
in all its ramifications is condemnable, and no responsible government will
allow any group, no matter its name, grievances or ideology, to carry out
terrorist acts unchecked.
“But we
believe that whatever action government takes— even in an emergency— must pass
the constitutional test, especially since the relevant sections of the
Constitution have not been suspended.”
believe that whatever action government takes— even in an emergency— must pass
the constitutional test, especially since the relevant sections of the
Constitution have not been suspended.”
It said the
offensive section of the order is Section 5 (1), which prescribes a term of
imprisonment of not less than 20 years ‘’for any person who knowingly, in any
manner, directly or indirectly, solicits or renders support for the commission
of an act of terrorism or to a terrorist group.”
offensive section of the order is Section 5 (1), which prescribes a term of
imprisonment of not less than 20 years ‘’for any person who knowingly, in any
manner, directly or indirectly, solicits or renders support for the commission
of an act of terrorism or to a terrorist group.”
ACN said
“support,” as defined by the order, includes “incitement to commit a terrorist
act through the Internet, or any electronic means or through the use of printed
materials or through the dissemination of terrorist information.
“support,” as defined by the order, includes “incitement to commit a terrorist
act through the Internet, or any electronic means or through the use of printed
materials or through the dissemination of terrorist information.
“Is this subsection
not in conflict with Chapter II Section 22 of the Nigeria Constitution which
says ‘The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media, shall
at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this
chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to
the people?’
not in conflict with Chapter II Section 22 of the Nigeria Constitution which
says ‘The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media, shall
at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this
chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to
the people?’
“By stifling
the press, is the order not abridging a part of the fundamental human rights
guaranteed every citizen under Chapter Four of the Nigerian Constitution in
Section 39 (1), which states thus: ‘Every person shall be entitled to freedom
of expression including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart
ideas and information without interference?’”
the press, is the order not abridging a part of the fundamental human rights
guaranteed every citizen under Chapter Four of the Nigerian Constitution in
Section 39 (1), which states thus: ‘Every person shall be entitled to freedom
of expression including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart
ideas and information without interference?’”
ACN said the Nigerian government must take a cue from what obtains
in other countries, especially in the USA, which are also battling terrorism,
adding that the media in those countries have continued to report freely on
activities of the global terrorist organisation, Al-Qaeda, despite
the horrendous attacks it has carried out in the US and Europe, among others.
in other countries, especially in the USA, which are also battling terrorism,
adding that the media in those countries have continued to report freely on
activities of the global terrorist organisation, Al-Qaeda, despite
the horrendous attacks it has carried out in the US and Europe, among others.
Source: Vanguard
