COMPLAINT AGAINST PREMEDITATED ASSAULT. HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION OF LABOUR PARTY SUPPORTERS IN NIGERIA.

The National Human Rights Commission, Abuja, Nigeria

Dear Sir/Madam;

1. While Nigeria has been pre-occupied with the electioneering campaigns in view of the forthcoming general elections of 2023, grave momentous developments in connection thereto, have been taking place in the country which we feel compelled to bring to the attention of your office and indeed the United Nations Human Rights Commission, the African Union Human Rights Commission, European Union Human Rights Commission and other International Organizations and Governments, especially because the government of the day and the Security apparatus appear to be ignoring complaints made about serious human rights violations some leading to near fatality.
2. During and about the October 1st 2022 the OBIdients (a word used to describe the Labour Party supporters & its Presidential Candidate) Movement organized marches and rallies to mark the 62nd Independence Day Anniversary of Nigeria; these rallies took place virtually across all the cities in Nigeria, London, New York and other cities across the world. Some of the OBIdients were either brutally attacked, assaulted and sustaining grievous bodily injuries, harassed and intimidated by supporters of APC political party in Lagos, NNPP supporters in Kano, the members of the Nigerian Police and some elements of Ebubeagu vigilante personnel in Imo State
3. Some of these elements acted under the cover of government authority because they were dressed in uniforms of government agencies such as the Park Officials in Lagos State and others armed with assault weapons, to mention just these few.
4. In the early morning of October 1st 2022, a certain Mr Ifeanyi Onuora, one of the Coordinators of OBIdients’ marches in Lagos State was arrested at the Lagos International Airport upon his arrival from France without any reason whatsoever. His offense was that he is a supporter of the OBIdients Movement and the Labour Party.
5. In the days running up to the Independence Day marches and rallies, we have had some of the Labour Party supporters assaulted and brutalized in Kano State, Kaduna State, Plateau State Enugu State, Ebonyi State and Katsina State by either the Police, thugs of the APC and NNPP political parties, or some nefarious elements of the Ebubeagu vigilante in Imo State and Ebonyi State.
6. None of the perpetrators of these crimes have been arrested or questioned so far. These crimes against ordinary Citizens who are expressing their basic human rights have continued unchecked and without condemnation or a word of caution from the States or the Federal governments. Their body language seems to be one of relish of each and every attack on the victims.
7. Just recently on 5th October 2022 at the Labour Party office in Orlu, in Imo State, a certain Ms. Ijeoma was brutalized by some armed men who have subsequently been identified as members of the infamous Ebubeagu vigilante group in Imo State. These elements brazenly entered the office of the Labour Party in Orlu, Imo State and brutalized everyone in the office. They also extorted money from their victims.
8. We attach hereto and marked “Exhibit 1 and 2; being the police report on the attack on Ms Ijeoma, and the medical report respectively for your ease of reference. We also attach as Exhibit 3 and 4; evidence of the attacks by the thugs of the APC political party on some of the OBIdients Movement members in Lagos State, Nigeria.
9. We have decided to bring these incidents to your notice for investigation and consequent legal relief. In addition, we are contemplating a Class Action suit against all the responsible and accountable authorities in Nigeria.
10. Some of the Labour Party supporters face intimidation and harassment on a daily basis with impunity as if they are not entitled to the freedom of association and the right to assemble as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Their lives are in danger and some are in hiding or have changed their addresses to avoid attempts to harm them or more serious danger.
11. Based on the fact that these perpetrators operate freely and unchecked, and driven by financial motivation, they are going to any lengths to achieve their mission which effectively is to disenfranchise the supporters of the Labour Party through any means possible in the coming general elections in Nigeria in 2023.
12. Since the campaign was officially flagged off, there has been exponential increase in the persecution of the Labour Party supporters across Nigeria. Despite documented evidence of these atrocities, they continue to happen under the watch of the law enforcement agencies, and none of the perpetrators have either been arrested or prosecuted.

INEC AND PVC

1. Finally, the Independent National Electoral Commission “INEC” appears to be showing signs of bias. During registration, there were credible reports of prejudice against certain ethnic groups in registration ranging from lack of equipment in certain areas and outright denial of registration. Despite the fact that INEC used the excuse of wanting to have enough time to print Permanent Voters Cards “PVCs” to stop registration of eligible voters 7 months to election (which in many quarters was seen as disenfranchisement of citizens who many believe were more than likely Labour Party supporters), INEC has not delivered any PVCs to the offices for voters pick up. The last report by many who should have picked up their PVCs in August after many visits to the INEC offices was that they were told to check in the last week of November. This is a cause for concern given INECs antecedents and their posture as a biased Umpire. One wonders if those who registered in January are yet to have their PVCs delivered when those whose registration happened up to July, would receive theirs. The problems seem to be in the South only as distribution of PVCs and registration in the North appeared seamless.

OUR DEMANDS

1. We therefore urge your kind intervention in getting the Federal Government of Nigeria (FG) to ensure it protects all its citizens and to stop APC thugs from violating the human rights of others. To do otherwise is to encourage the disenfranchisement of citizens, especially as Obidients are also noticing the fact that INEC has not been able to fulfil its scheduled PVC delivery dates. To date, despite the announcement of INEC that PVCs will be ready for collection and even stating to the Court that registration had to stop in July i.e. 7 months to the election, to allow them print PVCs, none has been delivered. So, it appears that the FG is complicit in schemes being used to perpetrate the disenfranchisement of the opposition especially Labour Party Supporters, as it is believed that most of the new registrants are more than likely Labour Party supporters.
2. The government should identify and immediately take stringent action against those involved in these crimes.
3. We further request the United Nations, the United States Government, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the International Community to do all in their powers to halt these barbaric conducts which have gone on under the watch of the President, and the federal government officials for some time now.
4. We demand through your good selves immediate and commensurate compensation for the victims.

While looking forward to your kind prompt intervention, we extend the highest respects of the OBIdients’ Movement to you, your organization, and your member countries.

Most Respectfully,

Nigeria Lawyers Coalition For Peter Obi

Signed:

Osagie Emmanuel
Convener

Ereweke Precious Ifeanyi Esq
National Secretary

Austin Okeke Esq
Head; International Litigation And Diplomacy

CC:

The United Nations:
The United States of America;
The United Kingdom;
The European Union;
The African Union;
The Government of China;
The Russian Federation;
The Government of Israel
The Government of Japan
The African Union Human Rights Commission;
The ECOWAS;
The International Criminal Court;
The Government of Denmark
The Government of Sweden
The Government of Australia
The Government of Finland
The Government of Switzerland;
The Government of Norway;
The Government of Germany;
The Government of Canada;
The Government of Italy;
The Government of New Zealand
The International Community;