Dokpesi’s arrest: Political persecution, military style of pronouncement of guilt – PDP

By Henry Umoru
ABUJA- NATIONAL leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has condemned in very strong terms, the arrest of Chairman of Daar Communication, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, describing it as political persecution, just as it said that it was a military style of pronouncement of guilt that was used against him.

According to PDP in a statement signed Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party noted that the All Progressives Congress, APC led government was after Dokpesi because of his romance and relationship with the PDP.

Metuh said, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns in its entirety, the arrest of media mogul, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi and other opposition elements by the APC-led Federal Government.”

Metuh who raised alarm of moves to arrest and harass notable members of PDP, said, “The party also alerted that it has been made aware that more notable PDP leaders have similarly been listed for arrest over unproven allegations pursuant to the plot by the APC to cow and silence opposition in the country.

“The military style of pronouncement of guilt on Chief Dokpesi before any fair hearing, betrays the fact that he is a victim of political persecution and mob trial by the APC government because of his association with the PDP.

“While the PDP is not against the war against corruption, we insist that the crusade must be carried out within the limits of the law and not as a guise to persecute and torture opposition elements in the country.

“Our fear is that with the pronouncement of guilt even without being giving the opportunity within his rights as a citizen to state his own side of the story, the President Buhari-led government is sidestepping the laws to ensure that Chief Dokpesi does not get justice in the court, a plot which they want to extend to other PDP leaders.

“The PDP therefore demands an open and public trial of all those arrested so that all issues and charges against them as well as their defence therein would also be in the public domain. We demand a proper investigation and lawful prosecution instead of the reprehensible resort to outright political persecution, which can only have a place in a military regime.

“We also note that this development may not be unconnected with the planned onslaught against the media, following its commitment in holding this dictatorial regime accountable since it took office.

“Finally, we call on the international community and rights bodies worldwide to note the growing impunity and gross violation of human rights by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government tailored to decimate the opposition and cow the media in Nigeria.”