ERROSION OF CITIZENS'CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS

Amidst allegations of religious killing in the South-East the Vanguard news carried a headline: "Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has expressed worry over the killing of northerners in the South-East, saying Nigerians were no longer safe wherever they are." History is replete with religious persecution especially christian faith: Paul, Matthias were believed to be beheaded, Matthew and Mark imprisoned and lynched to death etc. For posting “blasphemous” statements in a WhatsApp group, Deborah a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, lost her life in a cruel and brutal way. She was lynched and burned to death by her fellow students in May, 2022. Freedom of speech and immunity accorded to the academia and its members were violated with reckless abandon. This is not the first time the Nigerian Constitution provision on religious freedom and conscience had been assaulted. Every efforts or initiatives aimed at dousing racial and religious tensions; or reparations are considered corporate social responsibility (CSR). At the beginning of this century a group came up with Macedonia Initiative, dousing and managing conflicts but gradually faded away. What must have scared them away from such a laudable and commendable cause? Today CISCO, American technology company is making headline news for undertaking similar mission of calling attention to the evil of racial discrimination and the advantage of addressing it. That was exactly what the Port Harcourt clergyman, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere did by making huge donations and scholarships to the family of the slain damsel, Deborah Samuel of blessed memories. This act of CSR did not only turn the negative intentions of the aggressors to victory for the family, but threw spotlight and global attention to the pastor and his congregation. IKECHUKWU O. ODOEMELAM & CO Principal Partner at IKECHUKWU O. ODOEMELAM & CO, Law firm of Corporate Attorneys and Consultants. Engaged in litigation, ADR, investment, property, public interest and corporate practice