Africa Press-Nigeria:
The Socio Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has asked Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to stop using the the COVID-19 pandemic to trample on the rights of Nigerians.
SERAP gave the warning on Friday after reports emerged that the state government said it would auction vehicles impounded for flouting the lockdown imposed on Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas of the state.
It would be recalled that Governor Wike had monitored the lockdown and caught many who violated the order. He vowed to punish offenders, noting that trailers and the cows seized would be auctioned tomorrow.
In its reaction, SERAP advised the governor to restrain from further violating people’s right, saying that the implementation of the lockdown by state authorities must be guided by the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and precaution.
“Following reports that Rivers State threatened to auction vehicles impounded during COVID-19 lockdown, we are asking Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike to stop using COVID-19 as an excuse to violate people’s rights.
“The implementation of the lockdown by Rivers state authorities must be guided by the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and precaution.
“Violating lockdown restrictions cannot justify taking people’s property unlawfully or resorting to impunity. We will hold governor Wike accountable if the abuses are not immediately stopped”, the group said.
