My Comment
Section 15 (1), (2), (3), and (4) of the 199 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, provides:
(1) The motto of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.
(2) Accordingly, national integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited.
(3) For the purpose of promoting national integration, it shall be the duty of the State to:
(a) Provide adequate facilities for and encourage free mobility of people, goods and services throughout the Federation.
(b) Secure full residence rights for every citizen in all parts of the Federation.
You don't need additional requirements to secure the full protection of Section 15 of our Constitution, other than being a Nigerian through birth or by the process of Naturalization. Being destitute is not a criminal act that would erode your legal status in any state of Nigeria, and then subject to deportation. The victims need rehabilitation, not deportation.
The fact that deportation is happening elsewhere in the country does not provide justification or excuse for what Lagos State Government did. No action is considered precedent, unless it has the forces of law and constitutional legitimacy behind it. What Lagos State Government did was simply unconstitutional and morally reprehensible. It has no support in law, fact, moral or logic. We are talking about Nigerians in Lagos State - a once Federal Territory.
The issue here is not whether Anambra State Government was contacted or not contacted prior to the deportation, or whether other State Governors are also engaged in the act of deporting "unwanted Nigerians" from their states. It is about protection of their inherent and constitutional rights as free born citizen of Nigeria with power to enjoy full residency rights in all parts of Nigeria.
The victims of the deportation madness, whether in Imo, Anambra, Abia, River State, or Lagos State deserve full protection of the law and full compensation for the cruel and unusual punishment that they suffered. This is a flagrant denial of one's freedom of movement and the much cherished fundamental human rights.
Section 15 (1), (2), (3), and (4) of the 199 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, provides:
(1) The motto of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.
(2) Accordingly, national integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited.
(3) For the purpose of promoting national integration, it shall be the duty of the State to:
(a) Provide adequate facilities for and encourage free mobility of people, goods and services throughout the Federation.
(b) Secure full residence rights for every citizen in all parts of the Federation.
You don't need additional requirements to secure the full protection of Section 15 of our Constitution, other than being a Nigerian through birth or by the process of Naturalization. Being destitute is not a criminal act that would erode your legal status in any state of Nigeria, and then subject to deportation. The victims need rehabilitation, not deportation.
The fact that deportation is happening elsewhere in the country does not provide justification or excuse for what Lagos State Government did. No action is considered precedent, unless it has the forces of law and constitutional legitimacy behind it. What Lagos State Government did was simply unconstitutional and morally reprehensible. It has no support in law, fact, moral or logic. We are talking about Nigerians in Lagos State - a once Federal Territory.
The issue here is not whether Anambra State Government was contacted or not contacted prior to the deportation, or whether other State Governors are also engaged in the act of deporting "unwanted Nigerians" from their states. It is about protection of their inherent and constitutional rights as free born citizen of Nigeria with power to enjoy full residency rights in all parts of Nigeria.
The victims of the deportation madness, whether in Imo, Anambra, Abia, River State, or Lagos State deserve full protection of the law and full compensation for the cruel and unusual punishment that they suffered. This is a flagrant denial of one's freedom of movement and the much cherished fundamental human rights.
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The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.