We urge the President Muhammadu Buhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all Heads of Security Services, especially the Nigerian Police and DSS to respect the Nigerian constitution and allow Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to enjoy his constitutional rights, to allow him to move freely and reside anywhere he chooses to live in Nigeria as a citizen. His banishment and detention from Kano State are illegal, unduly and wrongfully denies him of his constitutional rights to move freely and associate with people.

The Governor of Kano State has no right to act outside the clear and unambiguous provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. Section 35 (1) of the said Constitution provides that every citizen of Nigeria is “entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall be deprived of such liberty” except in the circumstances set out in subsections (a) to (f) thereof. Section 40 of the same Constitution provides that “every person is entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons”.

On the issue of banishment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Section 41(1) of the Constitution is germane and it provides thus:

“41 – (1) Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereto or exit therefrom.

We urge the President to respect the rule of law and ensure that his government commits to it by allowing Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi enjoy his constitutional right as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.