The Initiative for
Equal Rights (TIERs) strongly condemns the murder of Mr. Akinnifesi Olumide
Olubunmi. MrAkinnifesi was attacked by a group of youths in Ondo West Local
Government, Ondo State and died on the 18th of February 2016 as a
result of the injuries sustained. The attack was motivated by his perceived
sexual orientation, and particularly for his sexual liaison with a councilor in
the Ondo West Local Government. There is acontinuing threat to the life of the
councilor as well asthe families of the victims and their properties in Ondo West
local Government, Ondo State.
We strongly condemnthe
invasion of privacy, violation of the rights to life, dignity,personal liberty,
and fair hearing of the victims through this act of violence based on their
real or perceived sexual orientation. The attack on Mr Akinnifesi Olumide
Olubunmi is barbaric, inhuman and a gross denial of his rights under the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
As a Human Rights
organization with specific focus on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-person
rights, we are deeply concern about this violence meted against Mr Akinnifesi
Olumide Olubunmi based on his real or perceived sexual orientation. The death
of Mr Akinnifesi Olumide Olubunmi for his real or perceived sexual orientation
further reinforces the level of injustice experienced by persons who identify
as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Trans-person in Nigeria.
We believe that
such a barbaric act towards any citizen is unjustifiable, regardless of the
circumstances and regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
We believe that the Federal, states and local governments have a high
responsibility to protect the life of every citizen regardless of public
opinion on the citizen’s sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. We
urge the Ondo State Government to speak out against this barbaric act of
violence.
WE
THEREFORE IMMEDIATELY REQUEST THE FOLLOWING FROM CONCERNED PARTIES.
ONDO STATE
GOVERNMENT
We urgently call
on the Ondo State Government and, in particular, the Governor, Mr Olusegun
Mimikoto investigate the murder of Mr Akinnifesi Olumide Olubunmi and ensure
that all those who committed this unjust act are made to face justice
regardless of their position within the society.
NIGERIA POLICE
FORCE
We call on the
Nigerian Police authority, specifically the Commissioner for Police in Ondo
State, to immediately launch an investigation into the killing of Mr Akinnifesi
Olumide Olubunmi and ensure that those involved in the barbaric act are
apprehended.
NATIONAL HUMAN
RIGHTS COMMISSION
We call on the
National Human Rights Commission to act on its statutory mandate and launch an
investigation into the incident, particularly, the ensuing mob violence and
death of the victim.
NIGERIAN CITIZENS
Finally, we call
on all law-abiding Nigerians to condemn and speak out against jungle justice
and other inhuman acts of violence by demanding justice for the late
Mr Akinnifesi Olumide Olubunmi. The right to life of every Nigerian is
sacrosanct irrespective of their class, status, ethnicity, religion, gender or
sexual orientation.
