The police has said they have detained political activist, Deji Adeyanju, as well as two others who were part of a demonstration on Wednesday morning
The police has said they have detained political activist, Deji Adeyanju, as well as two others who were part of a demonstration on Wednesday morning tagged: ‘Police Are Not Politicians, Save Our Democracy.’ The protesters had trooped to the streets to demand the neutrality of the police in the forthcoming general election.
Police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, said in a statement that Mr Adeyanju, Daniel Abobama and Boma Williams were arrested in Abuja on allegations of criminal defamation and breach of public peace. They have been arraigned at a court in Karshi, Kaeffi, Nasarawa State, under the penal code law. He said their counsels were equally in court and that the trio were unable to meet their bail conditions. He also said the matter had been adjourned till January 21, 2019.
Mr Moshood said the arrest of the three citizens did not violate either the Nigerian Constitution or the police establishment powers. The police accused Messrs Adeyanju, Abobama and Williams of contravening criminal statutes by their conduct both physically and online.
“And even though they have rights as citizens, these rights must be observed with decorum, in good faith and without violating the rights of other millions of Nigerians to free movement and access to safety and security across the country,” the statement read in parts.
Mr Moshood attached some placards and screenshots of Mr Adeyanju’s Facebook page which the police found to be criminally defamatory and capable of inciting public disturbance, threat to public security and safety, criminal defamatory and derogatory conduct against constituent authority and breach of law and order. Mr Adeyanju, who has led regular protests against injustice and other highhanded conducts of public institutions and individuals, has frequently clashed with security agencies.
Deji Adeyanju has been arrested at least three times in 2018, all while leading or participating in protests.
