Police say the arrest of Deji Adeyanju and two others are for criminal conspiracy, defamation of character of the inspector general of Police

Deji Adeyanju, Daniel Abobama and Boma Williams, the conveners of the Concerned Nigerians, were arrested by the personnel of the Force in Abuja on Wednesday, November 28.

Adeyanju and others who were arrested during a protest tagged #PoliceNotPoliticians at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters, Abuja and have also been arraigned at an undisclosed court in Abuja.

The group members were at the Force headquarters to demand neutrality from the Nigeria Police Force ahead of the 2019 general elections.

But Jimoh Moshood, the Police spokesman, in a release said alleged that the Force recovered from the possession of the trio some criminal defamatory comments and utterances, that were capable of inciting public disturbance, threat to public security and safety, criminal defamatory and derogatory conduct against constituted authority and breach of law and order pasted by Deji Adeyanju on his face book page.

The comments according to the police include: “We just want police to be neutral in this election;” “Police is not a department of APC;” “Police are not politicians 2019 elections in danger;” “The romance between APC and the Police is unholy;” “Who killed Offa robbery Prime suspect;” Presidency, stop using police for political games.”

There were also comments such as: “Where’s the autopsy of Offa robbery prime suspect?” “Police are not politicians,” “Sack IGP like Osinbajo sacked Daura for invasion of Akwa Ibom House of Assembly,” among others.

Consequently Moshood said that the trio 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 constituted authority and breach of law and order.

The Police statement said in part: “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.

“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 derogation to these rights.

“Deji Adeyanju, Daniel Abobama and Boma Williams contravened 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.”

– Nov. 28, 2018 @ 17:25 GMT |