Ecowas backs Huriwa to sue DSS over invasion of premises

Following a petition sent to some foreign embassies and the Secretariat of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) over the invasion by the Department of State Services (DSS) of the offices of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) recently, the sub-regional body has counseled the Rights group to seek legal redress.

In a correspondence dated June 1st, 2016, sent to the National headquarters of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) on June 10th 2016 with reference details as follows: ECW/REL.12/PAPS/DPA/DGG/03-06/SK/16,ECOWAS condemned the invasion by the Nigerian Secret Police as that offends relevant provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

However, ECOWAS in the letter signed by the commissioner in charge of Political Affairs/Peace and Security, Halima Ahmed directed the Nigerian Rights group to seek legal redress in the Nigerian court system or proceed to the ECOWAS community court of Justice.

ECOWAS wrote thus:  “Thank you for your letter dated 9th May 2016 relating to your “petition over the invasion of our office of the Department of State Service on Monday May 9th 2016.”

“The ECOWAS commission appreciates your request to address the concerns you have raised as they impact on the respect for individual human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. 

“In the same vein, the ECOWAS Commission respects the principle of sovereignty of States when it comes to the issue of primary responsibility for respect of human rights.”

“In the light of the above, we would advise you take necessary steps to present this matter before the competent court of jurisdiction in Nigeria. 

“If still not satisfied, you may refer the matter to the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice which has first instance jurisdiction to address issues of human rights abuse.”

“Once again, we express empathy with you and please accept the assurance of our highest considerations.”

Recall that HURIWA had in a letter titled “Petition over invasion of our office by officers of the Department of State Service on Monday 9th May, 2016”, signed by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, stated thus;

“We write to bring to your notice the unsavory and an unusual affront to constitutionalism that happened today in our office.”

“At exactly 11.45am barely 15 minutes to the commencement of a scheduled press conference on the theme of insecurity in Nigeria, a team of the Nigeria Secret Police known as Department of State Services invaded our office and demanded to attend our media conference even when it was strictly a media event in which only few media representatives from the print and electronic were invited by text messages. 

“They didn’t however show any sign that they want to harm us physically.”

“But the Nigerian constitution in Chapter four recognizes the RIGHT TO FREEDOM TO Personal privacy; freedom of speech and freedom of association. 

“Although two of these armed DSS officials who identified themselves as Mr. Victor(DSS) and Ike(DSS)alongside a couple of others from the DSS head office and the FCT office said it was a “friendly visit”, we smelt  a rat and we suspect that this might just be a cover to determine if we should be obstructed and arrested.”

“We are appealing to you to use your good offices to call the Nigerian State to respect the fundamental human rights of Nigerians as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, the Universal declaration of human rights and the African Charter on peoples and human rights.”

“We urge you to use your good offices to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari to let all credible groups operate within the bound of the law without executive intimidation and psychological threats which sometimes snowball into confrontation and arrest.”

“Kindly investigate the reasons for this unwarranted invasion of our private office and assist in getting the Nigeria government to make commitment not to harass, intimidate and/or physically obstruct the enjoyment of all these fundamental rights so listed.”

Emmanuel Onwubiko

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