Illegal Deportation: Activist Sulaiman backs Falana, gives 14 days Ultimatum

A human rights activist and Executive Chairman, Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ), Comrade Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman has thrown his weight behind the position of the human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Femi Falana over calling for immediate bringing back of illegal deportees of Osun indegenes to Lagos State by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The rights activist applauded the Chief Falana for being on the side of the affected downtrodden masses of Osun State living in Lagos, describing the action of Governor Sanwo-Olu as barbaric, undemocratic, unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful,abberration, abomination, dogmatic governance, State arrogance and crime against God and humanity.

Sulaiman, who doubles as Convener, Save Lagos Group(SLG) stated this while speaking with Journalist after receiving an Award of Excellence in recognition of his Outstanding Contribution to Humanity at the celebration of Ten (10th) years anniversary of a human rights group,The Vocal Point Human Rights Initiative (VOHRI) and the launching of One Hundred Million Naira (N100,000,000) Fund raising for Office Complex and Official Bus with presentation of Award to dignitaries in our society held at the House of Chiefs, State Secretariat, Ibadan, Oyo State Capital on Thursday, 9th day of May, 2024.

In a statement issued by CHRSJ’s Media office which was signed by its Assistant General Secretary (AGS), Pastor Michael Agassi and copies were made available to newsmen on Friday, insisted that the CHRSJ boss, Comrade Sulaiman has given 14days ultimatum to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to return the illegal deportees back to Lagos without further delaying, saying that failure of the State Governor to heed the clarion call of well meaning Nigerians on the illegal action would make the people of like minds to picket the Lagos State Secretariat after the expiration of the ultimatum.

It would be recalled on Thursday that Falana while featuring on a Private National Television Programme urged Mr. Sanwo-Olu to ensure that those deported illegally to Osun from Lagos State were brought back immediately.

Falana confirmed that “317 Nigerian citizens of Osun state origin were rounded up in several parts of Lagos state and loaded into several luxury buses, which drove them to Osun state.”

The human rights lawyer described the deportation as illegal and uncalled for, adding that since the Lagos government and police have denied involvement in the deportation, Sanwo-Olu should ensure that the deportees were brought back to the state.

Falana said; “It is indisputable that the deportation of the so-called miscreants violated their fundamental right to freedom of movement, guaranteed by section 41 of the constitution.

“The illegal deportation also contravened article 12(5) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act which has prohibited mass expulsion that targets national, racial, ethnic or religious groups.

“Since the deportation of the 317 citizens was not authorized by the Lagos state government, Governor Sanwo-Olu should ensure that they are brought back to Lagos state as soon as possible”.

Although, Osun State Government under Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke claimed last  Saturday through his media Aide, Oluwaseyi Adeniyi post on his X disclosed that the Lagos State Government deported some residents who are Osun indigenes, confirming that five luxurious buses were used to transport the people down to Osun state, adding that Adeleke directed an immediate investigation into the alleged deportation.

It was reported that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Sanwo-Olu, expressed shock over the development and promised to take urgent action when Governor Ademola Adeleke raised the issue with the Lagos State counterpart.

Sulaiman, therefore, urged Sanwo-Olu to bring the officials of Lagos State that carried out the illegal deportation of the Three Hundred and Seventeen (317) indegenes of Osun State to book.