Abuja nest of graft, compromises noble minds — Inibehe Effiong

Human-rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has described Abuja as “the capital of iniquity and corruption” where even men of good intentions are easily compromised.

Effiong spoke on Friday on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, monitored by Patriotic Insights News. He was reacting to the defence by Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, over the arrest of activist Omoyele Sowore.

Sowore had led a protest on Monday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, to demand the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu. He was arrested on Thursday alongside 13 others.

Hundeyin told journalists that the arrest was “fairness in enforcement”, explaining that since the 13 suspects mentioned Sowore as their leader in invading a restricted area, it would have been unjust to detain them without arresting him.

Effiong, however, faulted the claim, saying public order cannot be used as a veil for repression.

“I am not surprised that Benjamin Hundeyin will justify the arrest and say it is in the spirit of fairness,” he said.

“I knew him in Lagos when he was the police spokesperson and he was a fine officer. But this is Abuja — the capital of iniquity and corruption — where even people with good intentions are easily compromised.

“Let us even come to the substance: what exactly is the allegation against Sowore?”

He insisted that the state must justify its action in law and not hide under administrative orders to suffocate dissent.