Artists have written a petition addressed to Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, requesting the intervention of state authorities in the case against internationally renowned performance artist, Jelili Atiku.
The petition also addressed to Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kazeem Adeniji, and the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, stated that Atiku, from Ejigbo part of Lagos and a prominent member of the Lagos art community was unlawfully arrested on Monday, January 18 by the police.
“He was arraigned and subsequently remanded in prison for allegedly conspiring with four other persons to commit felony to wit public disturbance with his artistic performance on January 14 about 5.40p.m. along Ifoshi Road, Ejigbo in Lagos,” the letter stated.
This unlawful arrest by the Nigerian police and subsequent detention, the artists stated, does not only demonstrate flagrant abuse of the artist’s fundamental human right enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, “it also shows the level of impunity with which some individuals, who are intolerant to arts, use the police and magistrate courts to oppress individuals exercising their freedom of expression through arts and creativity”.
Although the artist has since been released on bail pending arraignment, those who signed the petition dated January 20 asked the addressed to intervene and drop the four-count criminal charge in the case/suit instituted against Atiku.
They also asked that malicious individuals using the police and courts to oppress an innocent citizen be brought to justice.
Those who signed the petition include: Jahman Anikulapo, chairperson, CORA/Arterial Network Nigeria (Country Representative Arterial Network); Ayodele Ganiu, national coordinator, CORA/Arterial Network Nigeria; and Oliver Enwonwu, president, Society of Nigerian Artists.
Atiku, the only Nigerian awarded Prince Claus Laurel, a prestigious global award recognising accomplishments in arts and culture, held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands in December 2015, is an imaginative performance artist whose provocative spectacles use striking attire, unsettling body language and unusual props to open up dialogue and influence popular attitudes.