Ghanaian Protest: Branding Nigerians As Criminals Amounts To Defamation – Obono-Obla Blows Hot

MaTaZ ArIsInG
Dallas, Texas

Speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST in Calabar, on Wednesday, Obono-Obla described the generalization as defamatory and unacceptable.

Former presidential aide and legal expert, Okoi Obono-Obla, has condemned the recent protests in Ghana during which some demonstrators branded Nigerians as criminals.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Daily Post in Calabar, on Wednesday, Obono-Obla described the generalization as defamatory and unacceptable.

“You cannot brand someone a criminal without a verdict from a court of competent jurisdiction,” he stated.

“To suggest that all Nigerians are criminals and should therefore be expelled from Ghana amounts to defamation”.

Obono-Obla expressed fears that if the Ghanaian government were to yield to what he described as a mischievous agitation, bordering on xenophobia, it would not only damage the diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Ghana but also breach the ECOWAS Protocol that governs the free movement of its citizens.

The social activist expressed displeasure, saying the generalization that Nigerians were all criminals was both unfair and unfounded.

He argued that in criminal law, there is no principle of vicarious liability, saying “this is a universal standard.”

He explained that the two countries, Nigeria and Ghana, are both member states of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, whose Treaty and Protocol make provisions for the free movement of people and goods across member states.

“This is why there are many Nigerians in Ghana, and many Ghanaians in Nigeria and other ECOWAS member states because when one wishes to travel to these countries, no visa is required.

“Now, if some Ghanaians are calling for Nigerians to leave Ghana due to allegations of criminal activity, how can it be justified to claim that all Nigerians in Ghana are engaging in such activities?”

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