The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), a prominent civil rights advocacy group, has urged the country’s anti-corruption agencies to observe due process in their investigations.
The rights group, in particular, requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to follow Rule of Law principles in their prosecution of Dr Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence.
Addressing newsmen during a peaceful assembly and presentation of letter to denounce the abuse of Rule of Law in anti-graft prosecution at the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, also called on all and other anti-corruption bodies in Nigeria to comply fully with the constitutional principles of the Rule of Law.
Onwubiko said: “We are compelled to address the recent developments regarding the protests against the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, MON. The protests, which appear to be sponsored, have reached a disturbing level and are now a cause for serious concern.
“While the right to peaceful assembly and free speech is fundamental, and these rights should not be exercised in a manner that disturbs public peace and security.
“Without the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies, corruption will be rampant in the country, we commend them for it. But our concern is that when the bodies that are created to fight corruption are not been allowed to do their work the way the law has provided for”.
At the event attended by several affiliates and supporters of civil Rights and democracy, Onwubiko read out a letter the rights group also presented to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Olanipekun Olukayode.
The letter read partly: “We are compelled to address the recent developments regarding the protests against the Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON.
“The protests, which appear to be sponsored, have reached a disturbing level and are now a cause for serious concern. While the right to peaceful assembly and free speech is fundamental, and these rights should not be exercised in a manner that disturbs public peace and security.”