CLO tackles Obasanjo over Odi killings
JANUARY 22, 2013
THE Civil Liberties Organisation has said former President Olusegun Obasanjo deserves to go to jail over the invasion of Odi in Bayelsa State.
The CLO stated that Nigeria would be setting a bad precedent if it allowed the former President to go scot-free without facing the law over the massacre in the community.
Security operatives from the Nigerian Army attacked the community on November 20, 1999, in a reprisal during the reign of Obasanjo.
The community had dragged the Federal Government to court, demanding N20bn as damages.
But the CLO Chairman in Rivers State, Mr. Steven Obodoekwe, explained that apart from going to court to demand compensation, the former president should be ready to face the consequences of the Odi killings.
Obodoekwe, who spoke with our correspondent on Monday, noted that though many had called on Obasanjo to apologise to the people, the issue was beyond rendering apologies to the deceased families.
He said, “What happened in Odi was genocide. It was mass murder and Nigeria as a country must ensure that anybody behind such dastardly act should pay for his actions.
“We must not set a bad precedent on this matter. Not even an apology will be enough to pacify or appease the people of Odi. What happened in Odi has gone beyond apologies.”
The state CLO Chairman said past leaders across the world, who killed innocent people while in power, faced the law, adding that Nigeria’s case should not be an exception.
Obodoekwe commended the people of Odi for dragging the Federal Government to court, even as he urged them to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion.
He added, “Leaders anywhere in the world should know that life is sacrosanct. They should use their powers to build community and not to destroy communities.
“We had military dictators across the world and they faced the law over crimes they committed against their people. Whether you have military experience or not, nobody has the right to move against a community in such a manner.”
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