Human rights lawyer Festus Ogun has voiced his strong opposition to the arrest of Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). In a statement shared on Facebook, Ogun condemned the arrest, stating it was a clear violation of Bobrisky’s constitutional rights, including the right to free movement and personal liberty as outlined in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.
Ogun emphasized that there were no legal charges against Bobrisky to justify the arrest, calling it an unlawful act of harassment. He remarked, “The Nigerian Immigration Service’s arrest of Bobrisky while he was attempting to leave the country is arbitrary, illegal, and against the law. Preventing a Nigerian citizen from traveling without any legal basis is completely indefensible.”
Ogun also warned that such actions by the NIS could set a troubling precedent, leading to more restrictions on citizens’ freedoms, especially for those who are outspoken or involved in activism. “If this is allowed, the Nigerian government might not hesitate to target journalists, activists, and anyone considered a ‘person of interest,’” he added.
Earlier in the week, Bobrisky was stopped by immigration officers at the Sème border while trying to leave Nigeria. He was detained overnight at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) annex in Lagos, sparking widespread debate and controversy.
