Deji Adeyanju, a political activist and former director of new media of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force acting on the orders of the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency for staging a peaceful protest against the partisan operations of the police force.
On Wednesday, November 28, 2018, under the umbrella of Concerned Nigerians and Our Mumu Don Do, two democracy rights organisations, Mr. Adeyanju, and two other activists, Daniel Abobama and Boma Williams were arrested during a protest outside the Police Headquarters in Abuja, the federal capital territory.
We are on our way to Force Headquarters for #PoliceNotPoliticains Rally. ✊✊✊ pic.twitter.com/NJdqObAm77
— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) November 28, 2018
Following their arrest at about 10:55am on Wednesday, the three men were promptly arraigned before Karshi Magistrate Court in Abuja and remanded in prison on charges of committing “criminal offences of Joint Act, Criminal defamation, Disturbance of public peace, Threat to public security and safety and inciting public disturbance under the Penal Code Law”.
Social media posts by Mr. Adeyanju including those calling for the investigation of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the N5 billion National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, fraud were tendered as evidence against the activist.
Lawyers of the three activists were unable to secure bail for their clients and the magistrate ordered that they be remanded in Keffi Prison, Nasarawa State until January 21, 2019 when the trial would continue.
The arrest of Deji Adeyanju has been condemned by journalists, activists, politicians, and prominent Nigerians. It is widely viewed as a clampdown on free speech and dissent, a tactic that is increasingly being deployed by the Buhari-led government as the 2019 elections approach.
Two hashtags #FreeDejiNow and #FreeDejiAdeyanju were trending on social media platforms like Twitter on Wednesday.
One of the prominent national leaders who condemned the arrest of the activists is Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the immediate past governor of Ondo State and Senatorial candidate under the Zenith Labour Party. He wrote on Twitter, “Repressing peaceful protest is not only morally treasonable but dangerous in its propensity to trigger a violent counterpart. No democratic administration can flourish without criticism, as the very foundation of democracy is undermined when dissent is silenced.”
Repressing peaceful protest is not only morally treasonable but dangerous in its propensity to trigger a violent counterpart. No democratic administration can flourish without criticism, as the very foundation of democracy is undermined when dissent is silenced #FreeDejiAdeyanju
— Dr Olusegun Mimiko (@Segunmimiko) November 28, 2018
Oby Ezekwesili, the presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, also condemned the strong-arm tactics of the Buhari regime and called for Adeyanju’s release along with his comrades.
Let Citizens like @adeyanjudeji exercise their rights and should they violate the law, MAKE IT EXPLICIT what and how they broke any law. @PoliceNG ,STOP USING the law as your cover to trample on Citizens right. #CitizensFirst has the right to protest against ANYTHING.#FreeDeji🙏🏾
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) November 28, 2018
Deji Adeyanju @adeyanjudeji was arrested alongside @9jaInformant by @PoliceNG. The Nigerian Police should know that citizens have right to protest and freely express themselves. #FreeDejiAdeyanju #FreeBoma
— Thεό Abu (@TheoAbuAgada) November 28, 2018
Ganduje, Babachir Lawal & even Adams Oshiomhole cannot be walking free while innocent Nigerians like @adeyanjudeji freely expressing their rights are hounded with reckless brutality. This is why we say our police have been bastardised. #FreeDejiNow #FreeDejiAdeyanju
— Jude C. Ndukwe ANIPR (@stjudendukwe) November 28, 2018
I Bolanle Cole join my voice in condemning this act of arrest and demanding his immediate release!!!✊#FreeDejiNow#FreeDejiAdeyanju pic.twitter.com/sURIaoscsa
— Olóyè T.D Esq⚖️‼️ (@BolanleCole) November 28, 2018
So @adeyanjudeji was arrested by the police for organizing a protest? SMH. This no democracy again; this na “authoritariancracy”. #FreeDejiAdeyanju
— Nnayelugo (@Eloka51) November 28, 2018
IGP Idris has sent his men running helter skelter looking for a court to use in keeping @adeyanjudeji locked up.
They went to Margistrate Court in Zone 2 trying to get a remand order, they couldn’t get.
They have now taken him to Karshi.
DEMONIC DESPERATION #FreeDejiAdeyanju— Ndi Kato (@YarKafanchan) November 28, 2018
Buhari needs to order the IG of @PoliceNG to release @adeyanjudeji with immediate effect as that is evidently an infringement on his fundamental human rights! @hrw #FreeDejiAdeyanjuNow #FreeDejiAdeyanju #FreeDejiNow
— Ladi 🦁 🇳🇬 (@LadiSpeaks) November 28, 2018
Just the other day @adeyanjudeji led a peaceful protest to the @USEmbassyAbuja and today he has been arrested. If we don't cry out tomorrow it may be any of us @CanHCNigeria @UKinNigeria #FreeDejiAdeyanju NOW
— Uche (@nnabros) November 28, 2018
Adeyanju has been tipped to lead the youth movement for the presidential campaign of the main challenger to incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the PDP.
Since 2015, Adeyanju, a Kogi prince, who served as an aide to Doyin Okupe, a senior special adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, has gained a reputation as a human right and democracy activist. He is the convener of the group, Concerned Nigerians and one of the leaders of the Our Mumu Don Do movement.
He has staged protests against the chief of army staff, Tukur Buratai, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the secret police’s invasion of the National Assembly Complex earlier in the year. He is also critical of officials in the Buhari government.
FLASH: Because Buratai & buhari are going to Borno, they just paid last month allowance to soldiers just now. They took soldiers from Bauchi to form up at parade ground. They'll address them as soldiers in the North East.
NOTE: They are owing dead soldiers last month allowance.
— Comrade Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji) November 28, 2018
Adeyanju recently organised a protest to the United States Embassy in Abuja demanding for the US government’s intervention in ensuring a free and fair election next year.
Analysts predict that the 2019 elections will be keenly contested between President Muhammadu Buhari of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP.
