TheCable

The police have arrested Deji Adeyanju, a political activist and convener of the group known as Concerned Nigerians.

He was arrested in Abuja during a protest tagged: “Police Are Not Politicians, Save Our Democracy”.

Deji was picked up alongside two others in front of force headquarters in the nation’s capital.

The protesters had trooped to the streets to demand the neutrality of the police in the forthcoming general election.

Some protesters were arranging the banners and placards meant for the rally when the police swooped on them.

The police had on Wednesday barricaded the roads leading to the force headquarters to prevent the demonstration.

Jimoh Moshood, police spokesman, later issued a statement on the arrest of the protesters.

He accused them of inciting the public by making defamatory comments.

“The Nigeria Police Force is not unaware of the rights of every Nigerian to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and freedom of movement as essentials of Democracy provided for by the 1999 constitution, Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended particularly sections 38, 39, 40 and 41,” the statement read.

“However, these rights must be observed with decorum, in good faith and without violating the rights of other millions of Nigerians to free movement and access to safety and security across the Country.

“Deji Adeyanju, Daniel Abobama and Boma Williams were arrested by the Police within the powers provided under the constitution, Police Act and Regulations, the Penal Code Law and Procedures to prevent crime and ensure safety of all Nigerians. The Constitutional rights of every Nigerian as stated in first paragraph above i.e Sections 38, 39, 40 and 41, these rights are not absolute as section 45 of the same Constitution provides for derogations to these rights.

“Deji Adeyanju, Daniel Abobama and Boma Williams contravene the law and were arrested for Criminal Conspiracy, Joint Act, defamation of character, public nuisance, disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant, disturbance of public peace, inciting public disturbance, threat to public security and safety, criminal defamatory and derogatory conduct against constituent authority and breach of law and order under sections 96, 113, 114, 152, 183 and 391 of Penal Code law. They are already arraigned in court in Abuja for prosecution.

“For avoidance of doubt, attached are the exhibits recovered from Deji Adeyanju, Daniel Abobama and Boma Williams and some of the criminal defamatory comments and utterances, that is capable of inciting public disturbance, threat to public security and safety, criminal defamatory and derogatory conduct against constituent authority and breach of law and order pasted by Deji Adeyanju on his Facebook page.”

The group had accused security agencies of conniving with the  ruling All Progressives Congress  (APC) to manipulate the elections.