Infringement of fundamental human right

Infringement of fundamental human right

SOME youths on Monday stormed the Ejigbo Police Division to protest against alleged illegal arrest and detention of a visual artist, Jelili Atiku, who had come for a programme in the area on Thursday.

We learnt that apart from Jelili, some women were also detained by the police who were reportedly acting on the orders of a traditional ruler in the area.

Our correspondent gathered that the youths stormed the station and demanded that Atiku and a fan, who was arrested with him, should be released by the police, saying the duo had committed no offence.

Our correspondent learnt that policemen arrested and detained some of the protesting youths on Monday.

Atiku, a visual and performance artist, who staged a performance on domestic terrorism in the area on Thursday, was said to have been arrested on the evening of Sunday, because the traditional ruler allegedly felt the artist did not consult him before the performance.

One of the youths, who identified himself only as Abiola, said the police had first arrested a participant at the event on Friday before Atiku was apprehended on Sunday.

He said, “Atiku is a multi-media visual and performance artist. He also won the 2015 Prince Claus Laureate. On Thursday, he came to Ejigbo and he staged a performance on domestic terrorism.

“A traditional ruler in Ejigbo with the connivance of the police started arresting people after the performance. One of those at the event was arrested on Friday. Jelili (Atiku) was arrested on Sunday.

“On Monday, we went to the station to demand the release of the artist, as no traditional ruler can be using the police to intimidate Nigerians.”

Another youth, who gave his name as Azeez, said, “The ruler uses men of the Oodua Peoples’ Congress and policemen to oppress the people. The police in Ejigbo have been compromised. What we are demanding is that Atiku should be released. He has committed no crime. We ask for his release from the police.”

One of the women who were arrested and who gave her name only as Alhaja Daramola, said, “I was among those arrested and I was taken to court without any offence. The police said I was selling hemp. I do not sell such. There were four of us who were arrested, and the police acted on the order of a traditional ruler.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said in a text message that Atiku had been charged to court.

“The suspect has been taken to court,” she stated.

Jelili was accused of public disturbance with his performance of 14th January 2016 at Ejigbo community in Lagos.

The arrest, detention and ongoing trial is a flagrant abuse of the artist’s fundamental human right as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Banjul Charter on Human and People’s Rights, the Belgrade Recommendations on the Rights and Status of the Artist, the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, all of which Nigeria is a party to.

It also shows the level of impunity with which some powerful individuals in the society use the police and magistrate courts to oppress individuals exercising their freedom of expression through artistic creations. This should not be allowed to continue, it could be jelili Atiku today, it can be you tomorrow.