The Coalition of Edo pro-democracy groups has called on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Amnesty International to call Governor Godwin Obaseki to order and to desist from intimidating and harassing Comrade Francis Taiwo Akerele, who recently resigned from his government.
Also, the Coalition asked the European Union, the American government and all international human rights organizations to advice the governor to allow all stakeholders to hold and express independent opinions in his state.
Addressing a press conference, Kola Edokpayi, decried what he described as illegal raid of Akerele’s residence by agents of the state.
Recall that Akerele recently resigned from his position as the Chief of Staff to Governor Obaseki, a development hailed by the Coalition.
“The Coalition commended Comrade Taiwo Akerele for his doggedness and commitment to the struggle for a just and egalitarian society and for not betraying the dictates of his conscience while in government and especially his courage for resigning his position as Chief of Staff when he felt unable to discharge his responsibilities as he envisaged.
“The Coalition, as defenders of the rights of the oppressed in society is however saddened by the gestapo manner the Governor of Edo State deployed his personal Department of State Security and Police aides attached to Edo State government house to conduct an illegal search of the residence of Comrade Akerele without a search warrant and any letter of authorization from neither the Headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) or the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
” It is therefore clear to all and sundry that the said security personnel acting in cohort with Edo State government house thugs were on an illegal operation on the orders of Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
“During the illegal search, several personal documents including his children’s certificates were carted away and his Personal Assistant, Mr. Jasper Olowojoba was harassed.
This incident highlights the hostile environment for human rights defenders and others in Edo State to exercise their freedom of expression.
“These acts are designed to break Comrade Akerele’s spirit, impugn on his reputation, embarrass and ridicule him and possibly frame him up for obeying the dictates of his conscience.
“We demand an end to the harassment and intimidation of Comrade Francis Taiwo Akerele.
No matter the level of intimidation, the truth remains that the Obaseki administration has the duty to protect the lives and property of Edo people.
The Coalition hereby notifies the Edo State Governor that should the harassment and intimation of Comrade Akerele continue, we would be left with no option than to take legal actions to challenge the legality of any further government’s illegal actions as it relates to our comrade.”
