Gov. Peter Obi writes President Jonathan as NBA threatens legal action over deportation of 72 persons by Lagos State Govt in Onitsha
Obi’s letter to the President came on the heels of a threat by Onitsha branch of Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, to drag Lagos State government to court over the issue
Obi’s letter titled: “Unconstitutional, illegal and forced deportation of Nigerians to Anambra State from Lagos State” reads: “I wish to respectfully bring to your due attention a very disturbing development that has vast national security and political implications.Similarly, rising from a meeting in Onitsha, the NBA frowned at what it described as flagrant violation of human rights of some Nigerians by Lagos State government and warned that it could be forced to take appropriate legal action against Lagos State government if the ugly incident was not redressed.
“Last September and again on July 24, 2013, the Lagos State Government contrived inexplicable reasons to round up Nigerians, whom they alleged were Anambra indigenes (most of whom the SSS report shows clearly are not from Anambra State) and forcefully deported them to Anambra State, dumping them as it were in the commercial city of Onitsha (see attached SSS report).
“This latest callous act, in which Lagos State did not even bother to consult with Anambra State, before deporting 72 persons considered to be of Igbo extraction to Anambra State, is illegal, unconstitutional and a blatant violation of the human rights of these individuals and of the Nigerian Constitution.
“Your Excellency, no amount of offense committed by these people, even if deemed extremely criminal, would justify or warrant such cruel action by a State authority and in a democracy.
“Even refugees are protected by the law. Furthermore, the extant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution states: ‘Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part, thereof, and no citizen shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom’.
“Sir, forced deportation such as this, which Lagos State seems to be making a norm in addressing its domestic challenges are egregious and calls into question the validity of Nigeria and its federating components. Such acts violate human decency, the rule of law and constitutionally ordered liberties. Were Anambra and other states in the federation to resort to such extreme measures, there would be total anarchy.
“It would amount to complicity on the part of the states and the Federal Government, if this issue is not thoroughly investigated and some form of censure brought to bear on Lagos State. I suggest, Sir, that you direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to investigate these incidents.
“Naturally, I have the obligation to protect the interest and welfare of all Nigerians resident in Anambra State irrespective of their states of origin and I would be left with no option other than reciprocity or reprisal”.
I will, however, put any such reaction in abeyance until Your Excellency has had the opportunity to address our concerns.
“Please accept, Your Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest regards.”
In a communiqué, the chairman, Mr. D.C. Maduewesi and secretary, Mr. Steve Ononye, recalled that a similar incident occurred at the same Upper- Iweka in Onitsha last year in which over 100 persons of South-East origin residing in Lagos State were deported to Anambra State without any reason.
According to the association, most of the victims of the illegal deportation were innocent Nigerians who lived below poverty level and regretted that a state like Lagos that has a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) at the helm of affairs could embark on flagrant abuse of the rights of fellow Nigerians.
Dumping of the destitutes in Onitsha by LASG is totally wrong IMO, but this should not be termed as xenophobia. I expect the LASG to reach out to its Anambra counterpart with proper explanation and clarification of its action.
Shame to Lagos State Government. I erroneously thought that this Fashola is well informed, I never knew that he is worst than others. Do you settle people by kidnapping them in the night and dumping them across and called it settlement?
ReplyDeleteIgbos should stop chasing shadows and pointing accusing fingers to imaginary enemies!
ReplyDeleteWas it not 2011 that Abia State Government embarked on a xenophobic policy of sacking non indigenes from civil service? An action which affected many Abia women that were married to non-indigenes, because by association, they were also non indigenes!
The very moment Igbo political elites started marginalizing its own people,they gave others reason to do what is worse!
Like our people would say: "Anie ufok ama akood ufok atagha,mbok idung ase ake asin ikang(when the owner of a house abuses it,his neighbours would surely set it(house)on fire).
Fashola has done his own wickedness , the time will soon come when him and his group will be paid back in their own coin
ReplyDeleteThis issue is being over flogged. Even though i do not support the idea of just dumping them at the border of their State, i strongly believe that a human being that was arrested and camped for almost three months without any family, friend or associate coming to claim him/her is not fit to live in Lagos.
ReplyDeleteIgbos are free to play politics with this incidence, forgetting that Lagosians were equally relocated home sometimes ago from the South. The present Lagos State government is both responsive and foresighted, knowing fully well that if these people are allowed to constitute nuisance in our society, we will still hold them responsible for insecurity.
I am Yoruba and I think Fashola needs to respond to this allegation and reassure the Igbos they have right to be Lagosians too! However, if these relocated persons needed some help or were destitute, a better arrangement should have been re-settling them with honor, in conjunction with their states.
ReplyDelete- Biodun
Yoroba and their hatred for good things. U cant hate who God has blessed!
ReplyDeleteThis is Lagos. We fear no one!
ReplyDeleteChange is the only constant thing in life. U either live by the rule of a state or U leave! Capish!