A Human Rights lawyer, Festus Ogun, has kicked against the arrest of crossdresser, Bobrisky, while trying to leave Nigeria to Benin Republic on Sunday night October 20. In a post shared on his X handle, Ogun argued that without any legal basis, it is wrongful for anyone to deny a Nigerian citizen the right to exit their country. He wrote
‘’Nigeria Immigration’s recent arrest of Bobrisky while traveling out of Nigeria on the basis that “he is a person of interest over recent issues of public concern” is arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional.
Denying a Nigerian citizen from exiting his country without a legal basis is entirely wrongful. There is no charge currently pending against Bobrisky. What exactly is the offence allegedly committed by Bobrisky that would warrant his arrest and continuous harassment? I mean, what is the legal justification for denying him the right to freedom of movement and personal liberty guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution?
I am afraid there is no legal justification for this recent arrest and refusal of exit from Nigeria. The Nigeria Immigration Service (“the NIS”) must desist from toying with citizens fundamental rights on grounds that are not rooted in law. If the NIS is allowed to get away with this, the Nigerian state would not hesitate in using this trend to restrict the freedom of its citizens (particularly journalists, activists and vocal patriots) to exit the country on the basis that they are “a person of interest”.
We must avert this perilous precedent. Lest, we are all a risk.
May the shovel we call spoon today not be used to dig our graves.''
Recall that the Nigerian Immigration Service intercepted Bobrisky at the Sème border on Monday October 21 while he was attempting to leave the country. He has since been moved to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) annex in Alagbon, Lagos.
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