FINAL Action on Diaspora Petition to President Yar'Adua over Non-Renewal of Passports

[Mobolaji ALUKO]

 

 

For wide distribution......

 

October 15, 2009 

 

 

Dear All:

 

The signature drive is now over for a petition to urge Nigerian citizens and friends particularly in the Diaspora to express displeasure at an official directive from Abuja that prevents the renewal of the passports of and consular services to certain citizens of Nigeria.  We asked that you send in your name, city and country of residence  by Wednesday midnight October 14, 2009, unless President Yar'Adua had reversed himself before then.  

 

He has.  We are therefore sending a  letter to commend him for that, but at the same time we are attaching the original intended letter.  Names of the signatories have been transferred to the commendation letter, and we trust that that is acceptable to all.  It will be dispatched by express mail within the next day, even though by the time of the actual receipt of the hard copy, an electronic version would  have already been in wide circulation.

  

We thank you for your patience and cooperation.

 
 

Bolaji Aluko

 

 

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Coalition of Concerned Nigerians

c/o Burtonsville, MD, USA

 

 

 

October 15, 2009

 

 

Dear President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua:

 

 

Please find attached a letter that we the undersigned signatories (about two hundred in number) had originally meant to forward to  you to protest a September 17, 2009 directive from  the Foreign Ministry preventing the renewal of passports and offering of consular  services to certain  Nigerian citizens, namely Mallam Nasir El-Rufai(former Minister of Federal Capital Territory of Abuja) and Nuhu Ribadu (former EFCC Chairman), for their recent criticisms of your government.  We all found it in egregious violation  of our constitution, and a threat to the socio-political and economic well-being not only of these two individuals, but of all Nigerians resident abroad, and at home as well.  The letter had urged that the order be rescinded, lest we bring a class  action suit against its issuers.

 

However, we are gratified that even before this attached letter officially got to you, a memo dated October 13, 2009 under the signature of  the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bagudu Hirse has been brought to our attention, wherein the offensive order has been categorically rescinded.   We particularly welcome and fully agree with its emphatic language that "it is the inalienable right of every Nigerian to seek and be granted a Nigerian standard passport as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution."  . 

 

We therefore commend you for this timely action, and urge that you fully probe all persons and institutions who might have used the phrase "at the highest level" to falsely insinuate your now-refuted permission of the illegal order.  We believe that you should also take the  opportunity to remind government officials at all levels that under your rule-of-law administration, nobody should be able to direct them to carry out an illegal order, particularly against Nigerian citizens.

 

God bless Nigeria!

 

 

Sincerely:

 

 

 

Mobolaji Aluko, PhD
Burtonsville, MD, USA

on behalf of the following Signatories

 

Mobolaji E. Aluko, PhD,  Burtonsville, MD, USA Festus Onyegbula, USA Prof Michael O. Kolawole, Melbourne Australia Emmanuel Uzo Obi  ,Raleigh,NC,USA Nurudeen B. Akinyemi, PhD, Atlanta, GA, USA Paul Olatoye, Laurel,MD, USA Bob Olukoya, UK Bunmi Fatoye-Matory, North Carolina, USA Dapo J. Oladehinde Sunday Olatunji, Atl.  GA, USA Atibioke Olugbenga Isaac, Germany Steven Kueberuwa, Washington, DC, USA Rotimi Ogunsuyi, Chicago, USA Suleiman Baba, Barnsley, UK Robert Olusoji Musafau Wale Ashiru, Elkton, USA Steve Nwabuzor, Michigan USA Abdul Raufu Mustapha, Oxford, England Kayode Ogundamisi, UK Nigerian Liberty Forum, UK Anthony Akabogu Moziz Poshyommie Fabiyi Kemi Akinyemi, Nigeria Mike Offei, NOrway Chukwudube Egwuatu, London, UK Fola Orekan Kate Ebinum Tola Osunuga Abayomi Ayomide Adebimpe Adebiyi Adewakun, Nothern Va. USA Ike Diribe, Hardyston, New Jersey, USA kehinde marcus ajayi, columbus, ohio u s a. Olusoga Lati Odusanya, Old Trafford, Manchester, UK Felix Ayanruoh Esq., New York, USA Jeffrey Adams,Edmonton, North London, United Kingdom yinka oguntokun, london, united kingdom Niyi Fadeyi, Ontario, Canada Musa A. Aibinu, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Victor Olajumoke, London, UK Tunde Adebanjo,West-Indies Olalekan Oluwole Akinremi, Winnipeg Canada Anthony Obiako, Mobile, Alabama, USA. Pius Adesanmi, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Samaila Haddi,Houston USA Isaiah O. Oladeji, PhD, Orlando, FL, USA Sonala Olumhense, New York, USA Fadahunsi Adeniyi, Shenzhen, China Okeke Ndubisi, Toronto, Canada Experience Nduagu, Turku, Finland Ada Wendu, North carolina  U.S.A Hindu J. Abashiya, Lynn, MA, USA Sulaimon O. Balogun, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Elisha Brownson, Kabul, Afghanistan bashir muazu, kaduna, nigeria Charles Obidigbo  Ezugha, Shanghai , China. Musendik Giwa, Fremont, CA Babs Akinola, Grand Prairie, TX U.S.A Lasisi O. Mohammed, Atlanta, GA. USA Ademola Daramola, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA Olurotimi Daudu, Calgary, Canada. Omoruyi Dennis, London, UK Uche Jonathan Victor Akhomiotor Imhangbe, Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia Enoma Osaigbovo, Dallas,Texas, USA Osamudiamen Cyril Idehen, Berlin, Germany olodegunre Bunmi John, Lagos, Nigeria Jonathan Ross, Ilpen,The Netherlands

Fakolade Olumide Henry , Ile-Ife, Nigeria Paul Akpofure, Dublin, Ireland Chibuzor Ado Fidelis, Springfield, Illinois, USA Joy Egwutu, Dublin , Ireland Ahiamadu Jackson Samuel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Jon Okafo, London,UK Lemmy Owan, Hertfordshire, United kingdom Nduka Tolefe Efoghor Omobude Festus, Las Palmas De Gran Canaria, Spain Paul Shotunde, Essex, UK John Olufemi, Palma De Mallorca,Spain Mofeola Ayinde, Lagos, Nigeria Mukhtar Adam,  Abuja Nigeria Olatunji Mubarak B., Manchester,UK Kola Olutomilayo,Lagos Nigeria Ezekiel Dariya, Abuja Nigeria Chief Larry Ololo, Tulsa, Oklahoma,USA Robert Olusoji, Dunboyne, Co.Meath, Ireland Suleiman Baba, Barnsley, United Kingdom Dr Abiola Olumide Oshodi, Dublin Republic of Ireland Mutiu Leshi, Brooklyn , New  York Kofi Johnson, USA Chidinma Chukwu, Chicago,  USA Deji Zaid Kolawole, Lagos, Nigeria Oluwaseun Oyekan,London, UK Abike Opeyemi Ojo, Blackpoool, UK Steve Modojemu, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Majek Adega Arnold Obomanu, Brighton, UK Veronica Ajiboye, London, UK Utake Emuobosa O., Porsgrunn, Telemark District, Norway Mr. Christopher Eidangbe, New York City, USA Professor Nonso Okafo, Ph.D., Norfolk, USA Okey Nwofor, New York City, USA Joseph Williams, Esmeraldas, Ecuador Ted Nwaogu, Isa Izuagie, Rockville, MD USA adetunji onamade, Boston, MA, USA Adegboyega Onasanya, Aberdeen, UK Rev. Zacchaeus Olusegun Akinleye,Brooklyn, NY, USA Tunji Keshinro, Liverpool, UK Rev. (dr) Femi Alabi, Brooklyn, USA Adamu Mujeli Goni,Leicester,United Kingdom James Ibidapo Osuma, Ski, Norway Rev. Philomena Alabi, Brooklyn, NY, USA Dr Francis A. Bejide, London, UK 'Dapo Osewa, UK Taye Idris, Los Angeles, CA, USA Philips ADEKUNLE, Osaka,Japan Selba Pyentam, Toronto, Canada Leke Alli,Tampa, FL,USA Kunle OwojoriCalgary, Alberta, Canada Adejumoke Akin-Taylor, CA Amos Akin Adejinmi, London, UK Comrade Victor Oshioke, Vienna, Austria Biodun Sowunmi Adeseni Coker Joe Igietseme, Atlanta,GA,USA Somi Obozuwa, Fort Lauderdale, USA Azuoma Anugom,Esq., California U.S Mrs. Noyo Edem, New Jersey, USA Yinka Odumakin, Lagos, Nigeria Joseph I. Maclayton-Jack, Sugar Land, TX USA Dele Alade, New York, USA Ola Kassim, Toronto, Canada Hadi Luguja, Kansas City, USA Oluseyi   Agboola, Baltimore,Maryland,

Ayokunle Ogunfeitimi, San Antonio TX, USA Fabian Ngozichukwuka Nwaoha, Ontario, Canada Hakeem Babalola, Budapest, Hungary Akintunde Akinola Menlo Park, Ca U.S.A Okolie Kingsley C, MD, West Indies Luke Okafoakpu,Seidelbastweg, Heidenheim, Germany Ibrahim Mohammed,London, UK Oladimeji Allen-Taylor, Houston. Texas Adeolu Osundeko, Nottingham, UK Opebiyi Opeseyi,Abuja,Nigeria Benedict Adeyemi, Fairfield, CA, USA Abass Opeoluwa, Lagos, Nigeria Abdullahi Idris Zubairu, Singapore Clement. Olakanmi, Mississauga,Canada Gbolahan Gbadamosi, UK Agbonkpolor Owa Naps., Vienna, Austria. Vin Otuonye, Atlanta, GA. USA Posi Olatubosun, Hertfordshire, UK Sir Okey Ajaruogu, Houston, TX, USA Mustapha O. Lawal,  Tottenham, London. UK Mohammed Salihu, Washington DC, USA Isa Nadada, London, UK Aishatu Ella, Abuja Nigeria Abdul Jimoh, Croydon, London, UK Temple Chima Ubochi, Bonn, Germany Jolly C. Anaba, Esq, Silver Spring, USA Ejike Obineche, MD, USA Kay Soyemi (Esq.), London UK Musediq O. Ashiru, Toronto, Canada Bayo Adedosu, Brampton, Ontario. Canada Kingsley Aigbedion, from Frankfurt Am Main, Germany Abdul Yakub, Hyattsville, USA Jamiu Adekunle Oduborisha, California, USA Busuyi Mekusi, Johannesburg, South Africa Adewale Samuel Anigilaje,Welling,Kent,UK Matthew Omere, UK Samuel Shodunke, Lagos, Nigeria Folake Lebi Dr. Valentine Ojo, Tall Timbers, MD Oladimeji Adigun UK Modupe Odusanya, Naperville, USA Victor Adewusi, USA Akinbayo Akinyemi Oshuntoye, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada Chief Funmi Olumade, Canada Dr. Olatunde Olusesi, New York, USA Layi Abegunrin, MD, USA Mahmoud Abdullahi, Minna, Nigeria Rotimi Sunday adara Thoney O Omoboye Manhattan, New York, USA Enyinnaya Clay Adiele, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Adegboyega Dada,NY, USA Fidelis A. Idonije, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Olugbenga Agboola, Houston TX USA Adebanji Dada, Chicago, IL, U.S.A. Zephyrinus C. Okonkwo, Albany, Georgia, USA Olumide Fatoki, Waldorf, Maryland, USA Tom Olalekan Lawson, UK Ayo Afolabi, Ibadan, Nigeria Joseph O Aina, Connecticut, USA Daniel Bakpa, Birmingham UK O. Geoffrey Okogbaa, Tampa, FL USA Dr. Baba Adam, Chico, CA, USA Olaolu A. Fakayode, Oakland, California, USA Dapo Falade PhD (Atlanta & Jordan) Femi Falana, Lagos Nigeria Funmi Falana, Lagos, Nigeria Mallami Azeez Kayode, Zürich, Switzerland Adebayo Adejuwon, Calgary,Alberta, Canada

 

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ATTACHED LETTER:
 
 
October 12, 2009
 
 
Dear President Yar'Adua:
 
 
Our attention has been drawn to incontrovertible evidence that the Federal Government - as initiated by its National Intellegence Agency and perfected by the Foreign Ministry - has instructed its missions abroad not to renew the passports of certain named citizens of Nigeria, namely Messrs Nuhu Ribadu (former EFCC Chairman),  and Nasiru El-Rufai  (former Minister of Federal Capital Territory) or grant any consular services to them.

The decision is a tragic reminder of the dark days of brutal military dictatorship when the confiscation of the passports of political opponents, human rights activists and pro-democracy campaigners was the order of the day.  We are aware of only one occasion when the military government of Abacha frowned at the completed renewal of former Foreign Minister (and then NADECO chieftain) Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi's passport in Washington DC when an embassy official lost his posting and almost his job  - but that was after the fact.  Thus, to our knowledge,  none of the military dictators ever directed Nigerian missions not to renew passports of their opponents BEFORE the fact.
 

As also pointed out recently by Barrister Femi Falana, we wish to draw the Federal Government's attention to the case of Director, SSS v. Olisa Agbakoba (1999) 6 NWLR (PT 595) 314 where the Supreme Court held inter alia:

“It is not in dispute that the Constitution gives to the Nigerian citizen the right to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof. It also guarantees to the citizen the right not to be expelled from Nigeria nor be refused entry thereto or exit therefrom. Section 38(1) of the Constitution provides:
 
‘38(1).    Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigerian and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereto or exit therefrom’
 
It is matter of common knowledge that for a Nigeria to travel out of Nigeria to another country he must first hold or possess a valid passport issued by the Government of Nigeria. See: Section 4(1) of the Immigration Act, Cap 171 LFN 1990 and the definition of the word ‘passport’ in Section 51 thereof. Without this document, he cannot leave Nigeria or be admitted to another country. It follows, therefore, that without a passport a citizen of Nigeria cannot exercise the right guaranteed him by the Constitution, of egress from Nigeria. Can it, then, be said that the right to hold a passport is not one guaranteed by the Constitution? That is a question that calls for determination in this appeal.  
 
If the view is correct - and I subscribe to it – that possession of a passport makes exit out of Nigeria possible, it follows that without it a citizen of Nigeria cannot enjoy the right of egress from Nigeria given him by section 38(1) of the Constitution. In my respectful view, therefore, to hold or possess a passport is ancillary to the right of egress from Nigeria given in Section 38(1). It is, as rightly held by the Court below, per Ayoola JCA (as he then was), concomitant to the right of egress from Nigeria. It is a concomitant right without which the right of egress from Nigeria becomes hollow or empty”.
 
 

In the light of the foregoing, the decision of the Federal Government to effectively,  gratuitously and vindictively strip any Nigerians of  citizenship by denying them of their constitutional right to hold Nigerian passports without due process it is in clear violation of the provision of Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
 
We shudder at the thought that those of us in the Diaspora who criticize the government of the day for any reason may suddenly become passport-less and hence be unable either to carry out our jobs that require international travel, visit our families back at home, or worse still be subject to deportation by our host governments.  We shudder at the thought of our Nigerian compatriots inside the country who can become shut in and hence cannot travel to visit their families abroad or carry out official or professional duties simply because their passports have been pre-emptively seized due to non-renewal.

Having regard to the fact that President Yar’adua is the current Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) the denial of passports and/or their renewal is a clear violation of Article 3 of the ECOWAS Protocol on Community Citizens which has been ratified by Nigeria.

Under the circumstances, we urge the Federal Government to reverse the illegal and unconstitutional directive without any further delay, otherwise the decision will be challenged  as a class-action suit.  We also urge you to remind all government officials to be mindful not to issue or carry out unconstitutional and hence illegal orders under the guise of "orders from above/highest quarters."  God does not commit atrocities, and the officials should be made aware that "The Devil made me do it" is no defence in law.

We urgently await your favorable response.

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