Utum Eteng|28 July 2016|8:44AM
The recent public show by the Cross River State Attorney-General declaring IFERE PAUL a wanted person is a sign of lack of understanding of the limits of his role as a State Attorney-General in a democracy where the rule of law reigns supreme.
IFERE PAUL was declared wanted because he posted on Facebook news about the security situation in Cross River State. It is sad and preposterous that the State Attorney-General should either deliberately with a view to intimidate PAUL refused to appreciate the limits of his function under the 1999 Constitution.
It is pertinent to remind the AG that it is an act of lawlessness, illegality and a breach of the Constitution for him to use his office to declare a fellow citizen wanted without following due process. The police would be taking a risk should the rights of IFERE PAUL be breached by way of an illegal arrest without due procedure. The State Police Commissioner being a seasoned and experienced officer should without delay tell his men not to act on such declaration of IFERE PAUL wanted by a person who lacks the power to do so.
The procedure to declare a citizen wanted is simple and the learned Attorney-General know that. It includes among others: a criminal complaint made to police showing the offence committed; he should be invited to be informed of the allegations against him pursuant to Section 35 of the Constitution. Where however, he refuses to honour police invitation without good reasons or that all efforts to invite or arrest him fails then a publication/order by the police declaring him wanted would be published to alert other police commands with details displayed for ease of identification.
Whilst one is not encouraging IFERE PAUL as a known law abiding citizen to stay away from legitimate police invitation whenever he is invited, it is important to remind the Attorney-General that, it is the duty of the State Government to ensure that the State is well secured for foreign partners who come to the State in response to the Ayade uncountable MoUs. IFERE PAUL as a public affairs analyst has the Constitutional right to plead on the State Government to be responsive to its Constitutional responsibilities. IFERE PAUL deserves kudos from the State Government for his quick reactions and life saving alerts he gives to the police and the public.
The learned AG should be reminded that, Cross Riverians are aware that Governor Ben Ayade is the State Chief Security Officer to whom security vote is released to protect the state. How the security vote is used by Ayade will impact on the security situation in the State. This is common sense.
IFERE PAUL who appears to a darling of the people now because of the role he is playing to alert the people within the limits of the law ahead of time is forced to be quiet, the people’s right to know what is happening around them would be destroyed.
One therefore appeals to the learned AG not to allow instincts to take over his sense of public good by intimidating PAUL IFERE for the good job he is doing.
(a) IFERE PAUL yesterday alerted the people about the mountains of refuse heaps in Calabar, today the same government has declared war against refuse heaps in Calabar by providing new trucks to collect refuse.
(b) IFERE PAUL yesterday said the Governor should repair the existing Calabar-Uyo road and Calabar-Ikom-Obudu high way, he did not listen then but today, Ayade says maintaining the existing two High Ways is a task that must be done.
(c) IFERE PAUL yesterday said kidnapping in the State is due to lack of security synergy, today the same State Government has provided vehicles and stationed securities outfits at every strategic point in Calabar.
All of the above are reactions to IFERE PAUL’s good intentions. IFERE PAUL should not be intimidated because he has never been distracted by illegal threats/intimidations.
Let the AG not look for the messenger but should content himself with the content of his positive messages.
Utum Eteng
Is a Public Affairs Analyst & Legal Practitioner
