Nigerian Embassy In U.S Allegedly Targets Human Rights Lawyer For Criticizing Buhari

A US-based Nigerian human rights lawyer, Emmanuel Ogebe, has alleged efforts by the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC to have his passport withdrawn over his constant criticism of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

According to Ogebe, documents filed in an Abuja court show that the government wants his passport withdrawn for allegedly “trash-talking Nigeria” on social media.

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The lawyer, who is the special counsel, Justice for Jos Project, said in a press release that part of “the document was a letter from the embassy dated June 2, 2016, addressed to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, Nigeria.

“In it [the court document] the embassy claimed that “Mr Ogebe derived pleasure from trash-talking Nigeria on social media in the chambers of the United States Congress and other public places across the United States.

“The embassy letter then stated further that, “Going forward, to prevent Mr Ogebe, who is a Nigerian citizen, from making further derogatory comments that are inimical to the image of Nigeria, Government May consider taking punitive action against him, including withdrawal of his privilege to carry a Nigerian passport.”

It was signed by the Charge D’affaires, Hakeem Balogun

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Reacting, Ogebe said while he had long known and was fully aware of the alleged hostile activities of the Nigerian government through its embassy in the US to persecute him, it was still “shocking to see in writing the extremes to which they would go and the extent of their desperation.”

“This is a wicked, evil and oppressive regime which instead of celebrating those who do good, demonizes them and instead of jailing those who do evil defends and elevated them,” he said.

“We are aware that the embassy had requested my arrest since 2015 claiming that the Chibok girls I brought to US were fake but the US government refused because they don’t behave like dictators. Unknown to the Nigerian embassy, the US government used to ask to confirm who the genuine Chibok girls.”

“Before now I had alerted relevant authorities about what the Nigerian embassy was doing so this just reaffirms what we knew with direct evidence from the horses mouth.”

“What is most shameful is that instead of our embassy seeking foreign direct investment, they were wasting their time and our money monitoring my Facebook page. It is a sign of the joblessness and lack of focus of this administration that for three years they have been wandering in the wilderness trying to crucify me but God has not allowed their evil desires to come to pass.

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“It looks like this administration is cursed with a nomadic presidency wandering about but achieving nothing besides damaging Nigeria abroad. This was how Buhari tried to abduct Umaru Dikko from London in a crate and bring him back as military dictator in the ‘80s. He failed then, and as long as God lives, he will fail again.”

Barrister Ogebe promised to reveal more about Buhari administration’s witch hunt against him for his human rights posture, “I have criticized every administration since I was called to the bar over a quarter of a century ago. Even Abacha who imprisoned and tortured me didn’t threaten to revoke my passport. Buhari is competing to outdo Abacha in wickedness!,” said the lawyer.

The trial is continuing at the Abuja High Court in Nigeria.

Below are excerpts from the letter.

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