Citizen is a column that explains how the government’s policies fucks citizens and how we can unfuck ourselves.
Perhaps it skipped your attention
The Imo State Government has passed a new Administration of Criminal Justice Laws No 2 of 2020. But criminal justice laws are supposed to be routine.
Except that buried somewhere in Section 484 of the law is a hilarious and terrifying clause that gives the Governor the right to detain anyone at his “pleasure”. The person may also be discharged at any time by the Governor “on licence”.
What does the constitution say?
Section 35 of Nigeria’s 1999 constitution states that every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty, and no person can be denied of that, except in certain conditions – which at pleasure of a state Governor isn’t one.
Section 34 of the constitution also talks about the dignity of the human person, while Section 41 of the constitution decalares that Nigerian citizens have a freedom to move freely.
It is clear that this law contradicts the foundational law of Nigeria (or grund norm) and is unconstitutional.
What are they drinking in Imo State?
Right now, lawmakers in Imo State are arguing amongst themselves about who sponsored the law and who didn’t.
Well, that is none of our concern. Let them save their own human dignity by repealing or amending this law, or whatever it is.
