*Says it’s reprehensible, illegal.
By; KELVIN OKPARA, Enugu
As the recent deportation of over 300 Osun state indigenes residing in Lagos back to their state by authorities of the Lagos State Government continues to attract sharp criticisms, a renowned law professor, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Professor Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, has faulted the action, saying it’s ‘reprehensible and illegal’.
Reacting to the development in a short statement she personally singed and made available to newsmen on Tuesday, the former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Enugu State, and social crusader, frowned at and condemned the action in all its entirety.
Prof. Ezeilo, pointed out that “deporting Nigerian citizens within the country’s borders is morally reprehensible and illegal. It violates their right to move and reside freely in Nigeria and could be used to target specific ethnic or vulnerable groups.”
According to her, “This cruel act cannot be justified. The government should instead focus on assisting marginalized communities and holding offenders accountable for their actions.”
She noted further that “section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Amended states that: “ Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereto or exit therefrom.”
The Lagos State Government had confirmed that it deported some people to Osun and other states on their request to be helped to go back home.
However, the action has continued to generate negative reactions, with Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke expressing anger over the incident.
The Lagos State Commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, had in a statement he issued late Sunday on the issue, said that 450 miscreants were rescued at the weekend and that out of the lot, 371 people pleaded for assistance to relocate to their various states due to the hardship they were facing in Lagos.
The statement reads: “The Statewide exercise to free Lagos of visible security risks has continued after the arrest of some suspects under the Dolphin Estate bridge.”
It added: “The ceaseless influx of miscreants, beggars, and the destitute onto Lagos streets has raised fears of insecurity of lives and property. This is unacceptable.
“As part of the exercise, 450 miscreants were at the weekend rescued. Of the lot, 371 pleaded for assistance to relocate to their various states due to the hardship they are facing in Lagos; 79 have been absorbed into some government facilities for rehabilitation after showing signs of being unwell.
“The exercise will continue as part of the government’s responsibility to keep our citizens safe and secure.”
However, reports has it that some of the 371 people rescued were relocated to Osun on their request.
Governor Adeleke said he interfaced with his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu over the action, saying an investigation team it set up confirmed the veracity of the story, adding that the investigative team reported that eye witness accounts confirmed the dropping of the youth in several luxurious buses by a team suspected to be from Lagos State.
The state’s report showed that the youth were systematically dropped at Ilesa-Akure Express junction, Breweries; Ilesa – Ibodi – Iginla to Ife Express junction; Osun Ankara Express junction; Imelu Express junction; and Iperindo Express junction.
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