Human Rights Abuse By Expatriates In Akwa Ibom Must Stop - CLO

Emaeyak Bassey Edem

Background: The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Akwa Ibom State branch herein observes that nationals of some of the foreign firms handling major construction jobs in the state, have been involved in the dehumanization of Nigerians in their employ. The CLO calls for the investigation, prosecution of the culprits, and the compensation of victims.
Chapter IV of the Nigerian Constitution as amended identifies rights it considers fundamental, and which must be respected at all times. For the avoidance of doubt, sections 33 to 43 of the Constitution describe those rights while Chapter II of the same constitution describes the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, including economic, social and cultural rights of the people. Government owes its citizens the duty of protecting them.
Section 12(1) states that: “the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be based on the principles of democracy and social justice.” In sub-section 2, it states thus: “it is hereby, accordingly, declared that:- … (b) the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” This lays the basis for the basic purpose of government in Nigeria.