Popular human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has urged the Federal Government to release the seven Cameroonian separatists arrested on Friday.
The seven men, who are leading a call for independence for the two English-speaking regions of Southern Cameroon, were arrested by the Department of State Services at Nera Hotel, Abuja.
They are clamouring for a sovereign state to be called the Republic of Ambazonia.
The arrested freedom fighters are Mr. Sikiku Tabe, Prof. Che Awasum, Mr . Nalowa Bih, Dr. Fidelis Che , Dr. Nfor Nfor, Dr. Henri Kumeng and Dr. Cornelius Kwanga.
Falana said that the suspects are being held incommunicado since their arrest and have been denied access to their lawyers, doctors and family.
Falana said that the treatment meted out to the seven freedom fighters was contrary to the provisions of the United Nations Minimum Standards for the Treatment of Prisoners.
He urged the Federal Government to treat the men with respect since they entered Nigeria legally.
He said, “Since the Cameroonians entered Nigeria legitimately their arrest and detention by the Federal Government cannot be justified under the law.
“As Africans, the detainees are entitled to human rights to personal liberty, freedom of association and freedom of expression guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution.
“Furthermore, their unquestionable and inalienable right to self – determination is protected by article 20 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights which has been ratified by both Nigeria and Cameroon.”
He urged the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami SAN not to bow to pressure from Cameroonian authorities to extradite the freedom fighters, saying Nigeria has no extradition treaty with Cameroon.
Falana equally warned that extraditing the freedom fighters could expose Nigerians in Bakassi region to reprisal attacks from the freedom fighters’ people in Southern Cameroon.
The lawyer said extraditing the freedom fighters would be tantamount to declaring war on the people of Southern Cameroon.
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