….says one dies
Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, Wednesday, called on the Federal Government and National Assembly to urgently investigate the alleged improvement of over 125 Nigerians in Benin Republic’s prison.
Adeyanju made the call as a lawyer to Ekene Bonaventure, Chigozie Chiedozie, Hassan Ebbe and over 125 indigent Nigerians whom he said have been in Prison Civil De Adjagbo Abomey Calavi, Benin Republic, as contained in an a request addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator God’swill Akpabio, and copied the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, and the Embassy of Republic of Benin.
According to him, these Nigerians are detained by Beninese authorities without formal charges, access to fair trial, fair hearing amounting to harsh, inhuman and degrading treatment in contravention of internationally accepted human rights standard.
He also alleged that one of the imprisoned Nigerians by name Salami Deyomi, from Lagos State died due to overcrowding in the Prison cell and lack of medical attention.
He said: “We are solicitors to Ekene Bonaventure, Chigozie Chiedozie, Hassan Ebbe and over 125 indigent Nigerians (herein referred to as our clients), on whose instructions we act.
“We write to bring to your immediate attention the distressing reports of our clients as well as other indigent Nigerian citizens who are currently being held in prisons across the Republic of Benin under inhuman conditions. Our clients as well as other indigent Nigerians are detained without formal charges, access to fair trial, fair hearing amounting to harsh, inhuman and degrading treatment in contravention of internationally accepted human rights standard.
“This situation is not only a gross violation of the fundamental rights of these Nigerians but also contravenes binding international instruments to which both Nigeria and Benin Republic are parties to, including: The ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment (1979, as amended) and The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ratified and domesticated in Nigeria under Cap A9, Laws of the Federation 2004), all which guarantees the right of entry, residence, establishment of citizens of Member States within the sub-region, rights to liberty, fair hearing, and dignity of the human person.
“It is the Information of our clients, that most of the most of these detainees have been denied access to proper legal assistance, medical treatment and basic amenities leaving them vulnerable to arbitrary and prolonged detention with no hope of getting justice.
“In fact, same has resulted in the recent Death of one Salami Deyomi, from Lagos state who died due to overcrowding in the Prison cell and lack of medical attention.
“In the light of the above, we respectfully call upon the Nigerian Senate under your distinguished leadership to:
“Institute a Senate fact-finding mission through the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Diaspora Relations, and Human Rights to investigate the status of Nigerians in Beninese prison custody.
“Immediately, mandate and direct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigerian Embassy in Cotonou to urgently secure consular access to all detained Nigerians.
“Invoke diplomatic and parliamentary pressure to ensure compliance with ECOWAS and AU human rights standards by the Republic of Benin.
“It is pertinent to note that the credibility of our dear country – Nigeria is measured by how strongly it defends the rights and dignity of its citizens both at home and abroad.”
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