Yemi Adedeji, Abuja
A group led by Charles Oputa, also known as Charly Boy, Ourmumudondo Movement says it will occupy the headquarters of the Department of Security Service (DSS) in Maitama, Abuja by on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 if the service continues to detain Anthony Ezimakor, the Abuja Bureau Chief of the Daily Independent Newspaper.
It said the continued disregard for Eziamakor’s rights to freedom of speech, right to dignity of the human person, and right to fair hearing as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, made the occupation of DSS headquarters imperative.
The group disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja and signed by Charles Oputa for OurMumuDonDo,Deji Adeyanju, for Concerned Nigerians, Ariyo Dare Atoye, for Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Bako Abdul Usman, for Campaign For Democracy.
The movement said; ” the decision to occupy the DSS office was made in a bid to prevent Mr. Ezimakor from suffering the same fate as Sheik Ibrahim Elzakzaky who has been detained illegally at the DSS facility for more than two years.
“We reemphasize our demand for the unconditional release of Mr. Ezimakor by the DSS. In the alternative, we demand that the Federal Government charges him to court as stipulated in the Constitution and give him the opportunity to defend himself.
“We urge all members of the local and international media to attend this peaceful protest aimed at drawing attention to the increasing incidents of unlawful harassment of the press and the unlawful detention of Nigerian citizens in violation of their constitutional rights by the present administration.
“We also invite all peace-loving Nigerians who are interested in preserving and protecting our democracy to join us on Wednesday,” it added.