Human Rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana has told the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo to immediately retract his recent threats of life made on former Anambra State Governor and former Labour Party Presidential candidate Peter Obi where he warned that Obi cannot enter Edo State without prior notification or security clearance.
“There is a new Sheriff in town. He (Obi) cannot just come into Edo State without informing me”. “His security will not be guaranteed. If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame, I’m not joking” Okpebholo warned during a rally in Uromi, Esan North-East local government.
Falana who reacted to the comment made by the Edo State Governor advised him to retract the threat of life otherwise, Sir Peter Obi should seek legal redress by filing a suit at the Federal High Court in Benin to enforce his fundamental rights.
“The threats to Mr. Peter Obi’s life by the so-called new Sheriff in town contravenes section 33 of the 1999 constitution (as amended), as well as article 4 of the African Charter on Human and people’s Right both of which guarantee the right to life”.
Falana emphasised that under section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, the security and welfare of citizens remain the primary responsibility of government, urging Governor Monday Okpebholo to publicly retract the threat, issue an apology to Obi, and affirm his safety within Edo State.
The renowned Human Rights lawyer further advised that if the Governor failed to withdraw the statement, Obi should seek legal redress by filing a suit at the Federal High Court in Benin to enforce his fundamental rights.
‘Obi should act with utmost urgency in view of the prevalence of mob justice and other forms of extra-judicial killing in the country’ Falana stated.
As at time of filing this report, Sir Peter Obi is yet to comment on the issue.
