Arrest of Mr Abubakar Usman Sidiq: A threat to Free Speech, says LEPAN

Read the statement below...
Yesterday’s arrest of a blogger, Mr.
Abubakar Usman Sidiq by operatives of
the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission has drawn reactions from
several young Nigerians from all works
of live. A large majority of this
demographic group whom our organization,
the League of Progressives Ambassadors
of Nigeria (LEPAN) represent have
described the arrest of Mr. Sidiq as a
threat to free speech among others.
Young Nigerians are also concerned about the
style of arrest, abuse of powers and the
response of government to the issue, which
has been disavowed by the general public. In a
democracy, the rule of law and impartial
justice is the defense of a legal citizen.
The adherence to the separation of powers
and due respect of constitutional human rights
should be the pursuit of a legitimate
government. The arrest of Abubakar Usman Sidiq
in the early hours of Monday 8th August 2016
has further alienated the people from the
government, which ought to be more focused
on fostering trust.
The EFCC stated in a press release via its
spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren that it has
arrested the popular blogger accusing him of
‘cyberstalking in violation of the cyber crimes
act of Nigeria’ and citing an article published
by the blogger about the commission’s Chairman.
An individual in authority must not use state
powers abusively in addressing a discontent.
LEPAN believes the law must take its due
course in the matter. However, the government
has acted in a reckless and unlawful manner
on several counts:
1. Violation of the rule of law as section 45
sub-section 1 of the Cyber crimes act clearly
states the process to arrest and detaining
alleged offenders.
2. Violation of the freedom of expression by
impeding on Mr. Abubakar’s right to express his
opinions according to Section 39 sub-section 1
of the Nigerian constitution.
3. Violation of Jurisdiction as Section 6 and 7
of the Economic and financial Crimes commission
establishment act of 2004 clearly outlines the
powers of the commission.
This is a threat to the fundamental rights of
every Nigerian to free speech and it must be
duly addressed.