The Human Project

The right to protest is protected by International Laws. See Articles 18, 19 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Right. Under section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, every person is entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons. Section 45 permits these rights to be restricted in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health or to protect the rights or freedom of others. So, as long as you’re not causing any trouble, you’re doing well my dear. Furthermore, the Court of Appeal upheld the right to protest in the case of IGP V. ANPP (2008) 12 WRN 65 that “certainly in a democracy, it is the right of citizens to conduct peaceful processions, rallies or demonstrations without seeking and obtaining permission from anybody. It is a right guaranteed by the 1999 constitution and any law that attempt to curtail such right is null and void and of no effect. We already know that peaceful protest is a fundamental right in Nigeria and ...

One of my favorite lecturers in the faculty of law, university of Calabar, Calabar is credited with having said that Nigeria is a theatre of the absurd. So when news came that the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig. Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim had stated that Corps members are part of the national defense policy of Nigeria and can be mobilized for war if needed, read more about it here , Nigerians greeted it with memes, mockery and sheer disbelief.  See the different reactions here. Trust Nigerians to lash out, and great was the lash out that a spokesperson of the NYSC has since made attempts at clearing the air, emphasizing that the director general never meant the statement the way Nigerans have perceived it.  Details here. A simple google search will give you video results of that interview with Channels TV. Therefore, I’ll  leave the issue of understanding what he said to your good judgement. For emphasis, what he said, how he said it or what he meant ...

Things have fallen apart; the centre can no longer hold. Journalists cannot do their jobs anymore for fear of being killed. If you do not choose your words carefully, DSS will extend you a “friendly invite”. Who wan die? Not me Sir. You’re on your own. It sounds funny right? No, it isn’t funny. This is not how it is supposed to be. The government is turning our Constitutional rights to audio rights. Na only for ear we dey hear am; we no dey use am. I don’t want to talk about the NBC and their incessant attacks on media houses. At the end of the day, you only air what pleases the government. Anything outside that, you will pay for it. What then is the essence of freedom of the press? It’s truly frustrating. Well, to be fair, we sef no dey try sometimes. You have the right to freedom of expression, and so? Do you have to misuse it? Last week, the PlayMaster explained in details how people misuse their rights on social media. It was quite an interesting read. You can find it here if you ...

Hey pals, it is very nice to have you back here reading from me. Hope you missed me just like I missed you. Welcome back from the Eid celebrations and holidays and I hope you’ve been handling well the different bad news plaguing the world and Nigeria in particular. I tell you what? It is one of such bad news that particularly seduced my interest to handle this branch of the discussion on Freedom of expression. I’ll let you in on this as we go on, but for now let’s dive in headfirst. Sooo last week oga de law, Edim Edim esq introduced us to the right to freedom of expression. Maybe I should move on with the mindset that everyone has read that lovely piece? Absolutely not. For the sake of the proper Nigerians who did not read it, I’ll do a brief re-cap on what the right to freedom of expression entails.  Read Edim's article here . The Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria in section 39(1) provides that every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including the f...

Have you ever been told "you too talk!?" Have you ever told someone "this your mouth go put you for trouble one day?" The mouth was indeed created for talking (and of course eating). Little wonder the RIGHT TO TALK (like I would love to call it) is inalienable. Mind you, this right does not only mean talking ooh; it also includes the freedom to hold opinions and pass information in whatever medium one chooses to. However, whether this right has been truly guaranteed is what myself, Emine (DePlaymaster) and Fifi will be discussing this month.  In 1999, freedom of expression became protected by the new Nigerian Constitution. Section 39(1) of the Constitution provides that: “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference." The Nigerian Constitution therefore, has made it clear that liberty of thought and freedom of expression are paramount. As a matt...

Section 38(1) of the Constitution makes provision for the citizen’s "freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or together with others; in public or private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance."  Section 39(1) also provides that; " every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference", while Section 40 guarantees that "every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons".  These are the granting clauses that give the citizens of Nigeria the constitutional right to engage in religious propagation within the shores of Nigeria among other rights; to associate and to hold opinions or to impart ideas without any hindrance. However, these rights are not absolute. The Constitution gives ...

To drive home the import of our discussion today, I invite you to join in a rather small yet practically very effective prank on your family, friends and foes; “Via whatever media you choose, declare openly that you no longer hold the belief you were known for or that you are now a sympathizer of another religious sect and watch the drama that will unfold.” After all next month is the month known for the famous April fool’s day. You can share your reactions in the comments if you have the mind to try it.  Our focus for today is on the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion with the aim of analyzing the possibility of individuals being liable for its infringement. Just last week, Aunty PhiPhi attacked and poured hot coals on the heads of terrorists as the chief invaders of the right to freedom of thought conscience and religion. Next week, Oga de Law Edim will have you believe that it is the government who encroach more on this right, but I will make you see that in re...