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| Godwin Akwuobi |
His words below,
“It has once again come to my notice, the
degree of human right abuses being displayed by some anti-cult members in many
universities; ranging from slapping, kicking, pushing detaining and beating-up
students who have come to the university to learn to better their lives. This
is unbecoming of some of the anti-cult members whose duty is to protect
students` lives and properties but some of them do the contrary hence, this has
prompted me to write this.
As a
trained human right activist incorporated into Nigeria human right volunteer
corps and also an incorporated students` solicitor in Nnamdi Azikiwe
University, I wish to address the issues of human right abuses in the school.
It is very awful that Nigerians experience
high rate of human right abuses, this is because 97% of Nigeria`s population do
not know the stipulations of the national constitution (rule of law) hence,
they tend to be abused. The question is, “how can you defend a right that you
do not know?”. There is something Former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, he
said “if we do not encourage corruption
through our activities and endeavors, then the perpetuators would have no need
to continue”. This is to say that we encourage human right abuses when we
lack the knowledge of the constitution of the environment we inhabit. Bringing
it down to this university (N.A.U), it is very appalling that 97% of her
students know nothing about the basic
principles of security duties in UNIZIK, that is why an anticult member
would slap the living day out of you and you would keep calm. One of my
mentors, also a friend, Mr. Larry Oguego, the national coordinator of human
right volunteer corps of Nigeria, once told me that in every society you find yourself, first of all ask for their
constitution, this would enable you know your rights and defend them. Therefore, I advise every student in N.A.U as
well as other universities in Nigeria to study the security handbook.
Now listen,
according to BASIC PRINCIPLES OF
SECURITY DUTIES in UNIZIK; a security handbook that is being issued to every
student on their entrance into the school, chapter 5, section 5.1, subsection
1-5 states and I quote ,” as a law enforcement
officer (security men/anticult), my fundamental duty is to :
-
Serve
mankind
-
Safeguard
lives and properties
-
Protect
the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation and
the peaceful against violence and disorder
-
Respect
the constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equity and justice”
This is to say that anything done outside these stipulations
above is beyond the jurisdiction of the security man/anticult and therefore
should be held accountable.
Under “the
provisions of public services” page 59, section 9.2.5, first paragraph of the
security hand book, it states, “… in the
discharge of the responsibilities as security men on patrol, must be very
careful to act within the provisions of the law…” .
Under “offence against discipline” for security men/anticult personnels chapter
7, section 7.2, it states and quote,”these
are offense against discipline(security personnel):
-
Absence
from duty
-
Breach of
confidence
-
Corrupt
practice
-
Discreditable
conduct
-
Insubordination
or oppressive conduct
-
Unlawful
and unnecessary exercises of authority or soliciting for drink while on duty
-
Drunkenness
-
Disobedience
to orders
-
Malingering
-
Uncleanliness
-
Lateness
to duty
-
Fighting “
Under section 7.2.1, it makes
provision of punishment that awaits any security /anticult personnel that
defaults in any of the above stipulations depending on its seriousness:
-dismissal
from duty
-demotion
or reduction from rank/level
-suspension
-withholding
of salary
-Surcharging
-issuing
warning letter
-detention
-taking,
seizure of off-duty
-forfeiture
of annual leave
This is to say that any security man/anticult personnel that
defaults in the above provision as stipulated under “offense against discipline” shall face the stipulated punishment
under section 7.2.1 .
Under “ground for lawful arrest” chapter 6,
section 6.1.1, it states, “these are likely events that may lead to arrest:
-
Cultism
-
Stealing
-
Fighting
-
Impersonation
-
Forgery of
receipts, certificates, bank teller, identity card, payment print-out and other
official documents
-
Riot
-
Mob action
In carrying out arrest and other security duties, the officer
is expected to identify/introduce himself (unless on uniform). This should be
done by presentation of identity card or invitation letter”.
And this book also
stipulated that a security man on carrying out his duties should be polite and
well-mannered.
Under “minimum force”,
chapter 6, section 6.2, 3rd paragraph, it states, in carrying out
arrest, force is not required unless:
-
the actor
believes that the force employed creates no substantial risk of injury to
innocent persons
-
the actor
believes for which the arrest is made involves conduct including the use or
threatened use of deadly force
-
there is a
substantial risk that the person to be arrested would cause death or serious
body harm if his apprehension is delayed
-
where no other
civil or diplomatic tactic proves productive
-
the arrest
is for a felony
-
when there
is resistance of arrest
Having
read through UNIZIK security handbook, the constitution of SUG and the
constitution of SJC and having completely comprehended its stipulations, I
therefore say boldly that the school authority has never commissioned any
school security personnel to beat, harass or oppress the students, therefore,
any security personnel that does so, does so on his own accord and the school
should not be held responsible for his actions but him.
According to “Nigeria police act
and regulation” section 341, under “Liability
Of Misuse Of Power”, it states and I quote, “in the personal use of his power as a police officer, every police
officer shall be personally responsible for any misuse of his power or for
anything done beyond his jurisdiction or power”.
These above applies to all security personnel, therefore, any school
security personnel that acts beyond the stipulation of the schools` (NAU) basic principles of security duties
would personally be answerable to it.
Now that I know my
right as a student, how do I defend it when it is abused?
1)
You
need an evidence of the abuse: you can take a picture of the scene or
record the scene where the abuse is taking place or if you have bruises on your
body, snap them, obtain doctors report if you can, however, in the absence of
these things you can get two eye witnesses that can stand and narrate what they
witnessed.
2)
How do I
get justice?
After obtaining these evidence, report your
case to the student judiciary council (SJC), when this is done, be sure to get
justice. If it cannot be handled by the SJC, I will personally take the report
to the Chief security officer(CSO) whom I know would take the stipulated
actions made available in chapter 7, section 7.2.1 in the security handbook but
if not, the report would get to the Vice Chancellor.
We deserve our rights as students of
this exquisite university and therefore, we must fight for it. The more we
fight for it, the more we get rid of oppressors and consequently realizing a
serene environment for habitation.
Lastly, I write to all the students
in N.A.U, be a law-abiding student, respect the school security because they
deserve it but at every moment in time, defend your right. You can call me any
time on 08164183335 for help, I remain Godwin Akwuobi. “
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