By.Admin
Nicholas Opio’s lawyer, Owek. David Mpaanga confirms seeing and talking to his client Nicholas Opio who was arrested yesterday together with Anthony Odur, Tenywa, Esomu Simon Peter and Henry Daka all lawyers.
Speaking to journalists at SIU in Kireka after the meeting, Mpaanga confirms that Opio is in good condition together with the three though there are no charges yet to be pressed against him.
Currently the charges security operatives are pressing against Opio are of money laundering which Mpaanga wants to be confirmed.
Mpaaga also says they are working to secure a police bond for the four or have them produced in court with clear charges before close of business tomorrow.
However, Legal experts and activists want UPDF to immediately handover chapter four director and human rights lawyer Nicholas Opio to police for expeditious management.
Job Kiija from IDEA and Sylvia Namubiru from LAPSNET highlight the constitutional responsibilities of each of the security organs to ensure that Opio ‘s rights to legal representation, access to medical care and family as well as speedy investigations into the allegations that led to his incarceration are handled in a responsible manner.
Chrispin Kaheru also stated that they remain worried and averse towards the arrest of human rights lawyer and activist, Nicholas Opiyo.
From the timing, Mr. Opiyo’s arrest can easily be interpreted as part of a trend aimed at sending a chilling effect to democratic efforts in Uganda. It comes off as a premeditated plot to silence human rights defenders, democracy activists, journalists and other people who may be seeking to hold state agents accountable for their actions or inactions – especially in the context of the 2021 general elections in Uganda.
Without a doubt, some of the actions undermine the country’s peace and stability.
Opio was picked together with other two people on 22 December 2020 from Lamaro restaurant by plain clothed operatives.
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