The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has strongly condemned the reported call by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, urging Nigeria’s Body of Benchers to “invite and discipline” renowned human rights lawyer, Chidi Odinkalu. SERAP described the move as politically motivated and an attempt to intimidate Odinkalu for his peaceful exercise of fundamental human rights.
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In a statement released on Monday, SERAP urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call Wike to order and put an end to what it described as a clear act of harassment and intimidation.
“Mr. Wike’s call is an affront to the independence of the administration of justice and the rule of law,” SERAP stated. “It illustrates a broader pattern of harassment against human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and bloggers in the country.”
The organization emphasized that the Tinubu administration must ensure that all lawyers in Nigeria are able to perform their professional duties without fear of reprisal, interference, or intimidation.
SERAP further referenced the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, which place an obligation on Nigerian authorities to guarantee that legal practitioners operate in a safe environment, free from threats or political interference.
“Lawyers, like all citizens, enjoy the rights to freedom of expression, belief, association, and assembly under the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) and international human rights law. They must not suffer professional restrictions for lawful actions taken in accordance with their duties, standards, or ethics,” the statement added.
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