20101023
This Day

Kaduna — The Executive Director of the Human Rights Monitor (HRM) Mr. Festus Okoye has raised eyebrows over what he described as "the secrecy surrounding the arraignment" of the suspects linked with the October 1 bomb blast in Abuja before a chief magistrate court in Abuja.

He also frowned at the exclusion of the suspects' counsels, their associates and the media from witnessing the proceedings, saying that the "HRM will not support the illegal and unconstitutional abridgement of the constitutional presumption of innocence for the suspects arrested on account of the incident."

In a statement yesterday in Kaduna Okoye, insisted that due process must be adhered to in the trial of the suspects and urged the Presiding Chief Magistrate Oyebola Oyewumi and other chief magistrates in the Federal Capital Territory to ensure that Nigeria remains a country based on the rule of law and due process.

Okoye condemned the action of those behind the bombs which claimed many lives, saying that it was unfortunate that some of them paid the supreme prize while celebrating the 50th anniversary of Nigeria's independence.

He also condemned the use of force and terror to press home any form of grievance rather than the use of legitimate and democratic, constitutional and legal means.

He, however, said that the HRM was opposed to the deliberate, illegal and unconstitutional detention of the suspects beyond the constitutionally prescribed period.

Okoye called on the National Assembly and the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure the quick passage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill to enable the speedy prosecution of those who may want to turn Nigeria into a terrorist haven.

"Human Rights Monitor condemned and will continue to condemn the use of force and terror to press home any form of grievance rather than the use of the legitimate and democratically recognised constitutional and legal means.

"Human Rights Monitor commiserated and still commiserates with the families of the deceased and wishes those in hospital with various degrees of injury quick recovery. It is unfortunate that some of them paid the supreme prize while celebrating the 50th anniversary of Nigeria's independence.

"Human Rights Monitor does not and will not support the deliberate, illegal and unconstitutional abridgement of the constitutional presumption of innocence for the suspects arrested on account of the said October 1, 2010 bomb blast through the illegal, secret and unconstitutional procurement of a Court Order to legitimize their continued detention beyond the constitutionally prescribed period," he said.

"The security agencies are aware that every person suspected of infringement of the law enjoys the presumption of innocence no matter how heinous the crime the person is suspected of having committed. The person is also entitled to his or due process rights including to be represented by a Counsel of his choice and to be taken to Court within a constitutionally prescribed period.

"It is unfortunate that a Chief Magistrate agreed to proceed with a matter and issued orders of fresh remand knowing that the due process rights of the suspects had already been abridged and the Counsel to the suspects had been denied access to the Court" the statement said.