Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has asked Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo to withdraw the death threat against former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and apologize to him.
The senior advocate of Nigeria made the call in a statement on Sunday, condemning Okpebholo’s reckless threat.
According to him, the governor violated the 1999 Constitution.
Recall that during a rally on Friday in Benin City, Okpebholo warned that Obi must not visit Edo, threating that his security can never be gauranteed if he did without prior security clearance from him. – “the new sheriff in town.”
“The threat to the life of Mr. Peter Obi issued by the “new sheriff in town” in Edo State, constitutes a violation of section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples (Ratification and Enforcement) which guarantee the fundamental right of every citizen to life,” Falana however said.
“In view of section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, which stipulates that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, Governor Okpebholo should withdraw the threat, apologise publicly to Mr. Peter Obi and assure him of the safety of his life in Edo State.
“However, if Governor Okpebholo does not withdraw the illegal threat because of sheer arrogance of raw power, Mr. Peter Obi should proceed to file an application in the Benin Judicial Division of the Federal High Court to secure the enforcement of his fundamental right to life. Mr. Obi should act with utmost urgency in view of the prevalence of mob justice and other forms of extrajudicial killings in the country.”
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