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This Report is about an incident that occurred in Ogun State, Nigera.
Introduction:
This report is about an incident that occurred in Ogun State, Nigeria, where a farmer and hunter, David Akinola, was forced to join an association by the name of Hunters Association, headed by Araba, in order to carry out his daily job. The association not only threatened him but also confiscated his traps and hunted animals. David’s attempts to seek justice through legal means proved to be unfruitful until he came to Pralarg International, a human rights organization that helped him in resolving the matter.
Background:
David Akinola is a farmer who also uses traps to hunt bush meat in Ogun State, Nigeria. The Hunters Association, headed by Araba, is a local organization that regulates hunting activities in the state. They demanded that David join their association if he wanted to carry out his daily job without any interference. However, David was aware of his constitutional rights, which state that no one can be forced to join any association.
The Incident:
Despite David’s refusal to join the association, the Hunters Association sent some of their members to pack all his traps and hunted animals. They even threatened him in various ways. David then decided to buy another set of traps and asked his in-law, Adebowale Sulaimon, to set them for him. However, the association members went to pack all his traps again, causing David to feel intimidated and helpless.
The Complaint:
David and his in-law, Adebowale Sulaimon, decided to seek legal help and visited a lawyer who called the head of the association. However, nothing was done to resolve the matter, and the issue dragged on for a while, causing the complainants to become a laughing stock in their community. They could not go to their farms due to the constant intimidation and harassment.
Pralarg International’s Intervention:
David and Adebowale then approached Pralarg International for help. The organization’s branch in Abeokuta called the head of the association for discussion, but he refused to attend and instead asked his lawyer to call the organization’s representative. The lawyer informed Pralarg International that another human rights group was already involved, but the complainants insisted that they wanted Pralarg International to handle the matter.
Pralarg International wrote a petition to the Commissioner of Police, and the culprits were arrested. Their statements were obtained, and the organization insisted on their prosecution. However, due to pleading and an undertaking not to threaten the complainants again, the complainants withdrew their case and forgave the culprits. The association promised to return all of David’s traps, and the case was closed.
Conclusion:
This incident highlights the importance of respecting people’s constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and association. No one should be forced to join any association or group against their will, and those who violate this right should be held accountable. It also shows the importance of human rights organizations like Pralarg International in protecting people’s rights and seeking justice for victims of human rights violations.