Falana speaks on arrests of separatist leaders, asks FG not to declare war on South Cameroonians

January 8, 2018 9:55 am

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, has asked the federal government to release the Cameroonian leaders arrested in Abuja.

On Friday, security forces arrested leaders of Ambazonia separatist movement, a Cameroonian group seeking independence from the Francophone country.

The Cameroonians, numbering about 10, were picked when the group was having a meeting at Nera Hotel in Abuja.

In a statement over the weekend, Falana said the arrest of the individuals is unconstitutional.

“As Africans, the detainees are entitled to the human rights to personal liberty, freedom of association and freedom of expression guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution,” he said.

“Furthermore, their unquestionable and inalienable right to self-determination is protected by Article 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights which has been ratified by both Nigeria and Cameroon.”

While insisting that the detainees were entitled to reside or visit Nigeria without any molestation, the lawyer said the federal government has no power to hand them over to Cameroonian President Paul Biya.

“The detained Cameroonian freedom fighters deserve to be released unconditionally from the unlawful custody forthwith,” he said.

“Instead of using the SSS to fight the proxy war of President Paul Biya, the federal government should direct the SSS and other security forces to collaborate with the Nigeria police force to fish out the criminal elements that have unleashed mayhem on the people of Benue state.

“Having failed to crush the ideas which recently led to the demand for the state of Biafra by the members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra the (IPOB), the federal government should not attempt to provoke the marginalized people of southern Cameroon by frustrating their legitimate demand for an independent state of Ambazonia.

“Since the federal government has not succeeded in completely defeating the dreaded Boko Haram sect, it should not declare war on the people of southern Cameroon and thereby further expose the displaced people of Bakassi to reprisal attacks.”