THE Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide, has described the subpoena on former President Goodluck Jonathan to appear before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja as a political persecution.
The group said although there was nothing with asking the former president to appear before a judicial court of law, the motive behind the subpoena is mischievous and an attempt to ridicule him.
“The media is awash with the news that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Hon Justice Okon Abang has ordered Former President Jonathan through subpoena due testicum to appear in the Court.
“Ordinarily the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide would not have reacted to the order as it is customary under our laws for the courts to subpoena anybody, the motive behind the invitation is far from what the laws have prescribed.
“To us, the invitation is made with mischief as same is not only made mala fide
but also calculated to embarrass the person and office of President Goodluck Jonathan,” IYC President, Barr Roland Oweilaemi Pereotubo, noted.
Media aide to Pereotubo, Alaowei Cleric, in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, averred that the subpoena on a former president was first of its kind in the history of the country.
“This is the first of its kind in the history of this country and same should not be allowed to happen.
“It is an affront to the person of President Jonathan for a court to invite him in such a humiliating manner, especially when it is glaring that the intent and purposes for the subpoena is to use the instrumentalities of the judicial powers to persecute the man in order to put him to public disrepute.
“We will not allow that to happen. This is an insult to the Ijaw people. Those who want to ferment strife in the Country should not use the sanctity of the judiciary to prosecute their aims.
“Jonathan’s acceptance of election defeat should not be taken as cowardice, but a reflection of true statesmanship.
“This present government owes a duty in all moral fronts to respect the person of President Jonathan for the sacrifices he has made to keep us united.
“No former president of this country has ever been openly humiliated the way and manner this present government is persecuting Jonathan’s family.
“Let it not be seen as an offense for Jonathan to peacefully hand over power to President Buhari,” he enthused.
IYC further urged the judge who “issued that vexatious order,” to have a “rethink for the sake of our peaceful co-existence.”
While calling on President Muhammadu Buhari and other former presidents to intervene, the group warned that “the Ijaw nation will not sit idly by and allow her son to be publicly humiliated in such a despicable manner,” adding that “this has never happened in this country and we will not allow it to start with our son.”
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