Senate blows hot over ‘unlawful’ arrest of Nigerians by Benin Republic
(Nigeria) The Senate has condemned what it described as the “unlawful”
encroachment and arrest of Nigerians by the authorities of the Republic of
Benin.
Accordingly, the upper chamber directed its Committees on
Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and States and
Local Governments to interface with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
the Federal Ministry of Justice and National Border Commission to urgently put
in place the necessary mechanism that would provide lasting solutions to this
issue.
The upper chamber’s decision to intervene was reached amid
its resolutions, following a point of order raised by Senator Tolu Odebiyi
(APC, Ogun West).
Coming under Order 42 and 52 of the Senate Rules, Odebiyi
recalled the numerous reports of alleged encroachments into Nigeria’s territory
by authorities of the Republic of Benin, which, according to him, “has become
increasingly disturbing.”
The lawmaker said, “Recall also that the reports revealed by
Nigeria’s major news outlets like the PUNCH newspaper, published on April 22, 2021, and another report published on July 5, 2021, bears
testament to these facts;
“Notes that, according to a report by CHANNELS TV station
posted on July 2, 2021, it was reported that, “gendarmes” from the
Republic of Benin crossed ILLEGALLY into Nigeria territory to carry out the
arrest of one Pastor Kunle Garb and Mr. Benjamin Amosu, his interpreter, who are
residents of Igbokofi Village in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State
for demanding the reversal of the land encroachment by Government of the Republic
of Benin;
“Notes that the arrest of these Nigerians is based on the
allegation that they are resisting encroachment into Nigerian Land through
Igbokofi village in Yewa-North local government area of Ogun State;
“Further Notes that these allegations of encroachment have
been also flayed by the government of the state as published in a release from
the State Government calling on the Federal Government to immediately secure
the release of Nigerian citizens currently languishing in detention in the
Republic of Benin as a result of their resistance to the continued
encroachment.
“Aware that the continuous “unchecked” Egress and Ingress of
persons at the different entry points and borders between Nigeria and the
Republic of Benin – the country’s
closest neighbour, are largely the result of the porosity of our country’s
borders.
“Further Aware that the said Pastor Kunle Garb and Mr Benjamin Amosu were allegedly arrested in Nigeria in a gestapo style and shipped to prison in Ajase, Port Novo area of Benin Republic, without an order of a competent court of jurisdiction in Nigeria.
“Disturbed that this very sad event is in contradiction to
the mutually beneficial bilateral relationship that is currently in place
between both countries and is a huge deviation from the provisions of Section 6
of the Extradition Act, CAP E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 which
clearly states the processes in matters of Extradition.
“Further Disturbed, that this action by the Government and
agents of the Republic of Benin are capable of causing huge unrest, and can
lead to mass action against citizens residing in both countries.
“Concerned that if these actions as allegedly committed by
the Government and agents of the Republic of Benin is not urgently investigated
and properly looked into, it might degenerate into a diplomatic row between
both countries.”
The Senate in its resolutions, condemned any act of unlawful
encroachment and the unlawful arrest of Nigerians by the authorities of
Republic of Benin.
It also directed its Committees on Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and States and Local Governments to interface with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Justice and National Border Commission to urgently put in place the necessary mechanism that would provide lasting solutions to this issue.
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