Right Groups Condemn Arrest Of Activist In Edo
Human Rights Community in Edo State has condemned the arrest of a front line human rights activist , Marxist Kola Edokpayi by the police in Edo State.
The rights group in a statement signed by Comrade Austin Osakue of Foundation for Good Governance and Social Change; Rev. Olu Martins, Canvassers for Democracy and Rule of Law and Abraham Oviawe of the Network of Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria (NOCSON” made available to journalists accused the Commissioner of Police, Edo State, Haliru Gwandu of instigating the arrest.
They said, “We further condemn the spurious and orchestrated Charge that Marxist Kola Edokpayi had instigated the invasion of Nigeria with a group of intellectuals some of who are foreigners to invade the NPDC office in Benin City, Edo State Government House Complex, Edo State House of Assembly with a threat to use the military wing of the Benin Solidarity Movement to lunch attack on Uroho, Obayantor, Ajoki, Kolokolo, Ajemongha, Abiola, Ajakitou and Ikara Oil Producing Communities all in Edo State.”
The groups contended that Marxist Kola Edokpayi is a foremost civil, human hights activist whose contributions to the social movement in Nigeria is evident in the numerous interventions in human rights issues and in defense of the poor and vulnerable in the society.
They alleged that, “This arrest of Marxist Kola Edokpayi is the latest in the efforts of the political establishments using security agencies to emasculate the social movement in Edo state.
“That the civil, human rights community in Edo State believes in the rule of law and the inviolability of the rights of the average Edo person and we continue to agitate and engage authorities for it sustenance.
“That the demand for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is globally accepted as the norm in the quest for the overall sustainable development, equity and justice and such demand cannot be criminalized under the guise of treason.
“That the arrest of Marxist Kola Edokpayi cannot be unconnected with the proposed meeting of the Civil Society Community in Edo State scheduled for Wednesday 17th May, 2017 with the main agenda: Curbing the oppressive and extortive tendencies of the Police in Edo State and a proposed mass action.”
The rights community urges the Edo State Government, the Inspector General of Police to urgently call the Edo State Commissioner of Police to order to discourage the culture of impunity and the resort to self help in Edo State.
They implored them to take responsibility for the continued safety of Marxist Kola Edokpayi, his family and other human rights activists who they claimed are currently under harassment and intimidation.
