SOYINKA DECRIES CONTINUED ABUSE OF FREEDOM IN NIGERIA

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has decried continued rights abuse in Nigeria, years after struggle for freedom from slave trade and colonialism.

He spoke during this year’s United Nations Nelson Mandela Day, organised by Dr. Newton Jibunoh at Nelson Mandela Gardens, Asaba, Delta State.

At the event, marked by tree planting, Soyinka decried continued detention of Mubarak Bala, whom he considered a prisoner of conscience, following over 37 months incarceration for renouncing his former religious faith.

He said: “Talking about the fight between power and freedom, I am simply on the side of freedom, so was Nelson Mandela. So, are all prisoners of conscience, including this young man, Mubarak Bala, who has been in prison for 37 months for no crime in the statute books of Nigeria. It’s just deprivation of freedom.”