FG cannot justify arrest, arraignment of hunger protesters – Catholic Archbishop

•Arch­bishop Alfred Adewale-Mar­tins

While admitting that criminal activities of any sort should not be condoned, the Archbishop of the Lagos Catholic Archdiocese, Arch­bishop Alfred Adewale-Mar­tins, has declared that there is no moral justification for the arrest of people who are protest­ing hunger and dissatisfaction with government’s policies.

He made the remark at the 2024 Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and Investiture of Papal Knights and Medalists, which he presided over at The Holy Cross Cathedral in Lagos, reports Sunday Independent.

According to His Grace, it is unacceptable that people are arrested and not allowed the opportunity of access to their lawyers or family members.

Whatever the case may be, he said, Nigerian laws still provide that people are presumed inno­cent until proven guilty. So, they should be given the rights to protect their dignity as humans.

“We know that one of the ways in which people can send feedback to the government, about their state of life and sit­uation, is by protesting. Some go out to protect in public, others are protesting silently.

“This should be accommo­dated as long as it does not lead to criminal activities. Their right to protest should be se­cured and respected.

“People should be given their rights to good representation and their rights to be heard.”

Martins, while acknowledg­ing the biting hunger in the land, advised that the leader­ship in the country should en­courage, support and enhance private entrepreneurship so that they would be able to thrive within the nation.

More than anything else, he highlighted that it is the private enterprises that are ca­pable of providing the jobs and wellbeing that can turnaround Nigeria, and that until the gov­ernment provides the enabling environment, it will be very dif­ficult for them to thrive.

He recounted that the church must continue to play its role of helping people to recognize the values that are important and values that serve the common good (integrity, honesty and self-control) adding that they, as a church, have a commitment to it.

“However, as citizens, we should understand too, that we all have a role to play. You will be shocked to know that sometimes the poor ones also oppress those who are poorer than them. And those who are at advantage create disadvantage for others.

“As citizens, we must recog­nise that we all have a duty to the welfare of one another.”