The Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, has called on Katsina government not to allow ‘fanciful possibilities to deflect the course of justicev, as the trial of Mahdi Shehu, who blew the whistle on some Katsina government officials, gets momentum.
The Northwest zonal coordinator of CNG, Jamilu Charanchi in a statement made available to ASHENEWS on Monday, asked government to forestall avoidable situations that could potentially imperil the prevailing fragile security in the state.
CNG further warned against anticipated “wider conflict that could pitch the state against Shehu’s supporters, particularly with his allegations boardering on misappropriation of security funds, CNG alerted the Katsina State House of Assembly to move to forestall the imminent unforseen circumstances.”
The group also urged the court trying Shehu, to
“abide by the standard rules of fairness by not allowing fanciful possibilities to deflect the course of justice, noting that, the good people of Katsina state and Nigerians are watching with a keen interest.”
Read the statement in below:
Today, with the negligent handling of the matter as forewarned by the CNG, this warning is coming to pass with the growing tension around the reports of how Mahdi Shehu, a legitimate son of Katsina and social critic is treated in state detention.
The growing public concern over revelations that the whistle blower is not accorded the universal benefit of right to effective legal process so that he can challenge his detention and treatment, including denial to rapid and regular access to lawyers, doctors and relatives, is no doubt another source of worry.
The CNG notes also that tensions are heightened with further reports that the detainee is deliberately exposed to inadequate detention conditions including prolonged solitary confinement.
Recommendations
The CNG, not willing to allow situations that potentially portend greater danger to Katsina state and any other part of Northern Nigeria, hereby makes the following necessary recommendations:
1. While we recognize every citizens right to freedom of speech and expression, we also acknowledge the obligation on government to check excesses in the exercise for that right.
a. In this regard, monumental allegations, unless sufficiently substantiated are bound to be interrogated within the extents and limits available in law to both government and citizens.
2. With regards to the present case we call the attention of authorities to note that under our laws and the international human rights law, anyone accused of an offence has the right to a fair trial such as lawyers present during interrogations; independent doctors on-hand to examine detainees; contact with families and ensuring confessions obtained by torture can never be used as evidence.
2. We also remind the authorities that detainees are entitled to the rights and standards enshrined in our Constitution as well as at the universal level, with the main protections contained in the following treaties and conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory:
a. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
b. UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its Optional Protocol.
c. UN Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under any Form of Detention or Imprisonment.
3. We urge the Court where he would eventually be arraigned, to, as much as possible, as a temple of justice, abide by the standard rules of fairness by not allowing fanciful possibilities to deflect the course of justice, noting that, the good people of Katsina state and Nigerians are watching with a keen interest.
