Stop Harrassing inncocent Citizens with DSS- Funmi Falana criticises Federal Governement

Mrs Funmi Falana, wife of human rights activist, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), has condemned the use of state security agencies to harass private citizens and critics of public officers.

 Mrs Falana spoke on Wednesday in Abuja, while delivering an address at the inauguration of a committee of experts to examine all existing and proposed human rights legislation in the country.

 While commending the National Human Rights Commission for instituting the committee, she noted that public institutions had continued to violate the people’s rights in spite of the clear provisions of the constitution. “Public institutions have continued to violate human rights of the Nigerian people in spite of the clear provisions of the constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

“The use of state machinery to harass whistle blowers and critics of public officers and private citizens is illegal and unconstitutional.
“It is pertinent to remind the police and the anti-graft agencies that, as far back as 1983, the right of the Nigerian people to criticise public officers was upheld by the Court of Appeal. “By virtue of section 28 of the ICPC Act, whistle blowers are protected, while the right to access information is protected by Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act,’’ she said.

Falana noted that in spite of the avowed commitment of the government to put an end to the systematic abuse of powers by the police and other security agencies, people’s rights were continually infringed upon.