By Israel Adebiyi 

Justice A.N. Erhabor of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has strongly criticized a planned solidarity rally by civil society activists in support of the military junta in Burkina Faso, describing the initiative as misplaced and unnecessary.

The criticism was directed at Marxist and social critic, Kola Edokpayi, and Comrade Hadson Oracle who were reportedly organizing a public demonstration in solidarity with the military leadership that took power in Burkina Faso through a coup. 

The Department of State Services (DSS) had arrested Edokpayi and Oracle and detained him last Wednesday in connection with the proposed rally.

While delivering his ruling on the matter, Justice Erhabor rebuked the activists for what he termed an act of "unpatriotic meddling" in the internal affairs of another sovereign nation. "Burkina Faso is not Nigeria. If they are so passionate about military rule in that country, they should go there and hold their rally," the judge remarked. 

He added that civil society members should focus on issues affecting Nigeria’s democratic growth rather than aligning themselves with undemocratic regimes abroad.

Despite his criticism, Justice Erhabor maintained that the planned rally, though controversial, did not in itself constitute a criminal offence warranting detention. "Organizing a solidarity rally, however questionable in intent, is not a violent or treasonable act in this instance," he stated. "There is no justification for keeping the activist in custody indefinitely."

Consequently, the court advised the DSS to grant bail to both Edokpayi and Oracle, allowing them to continue reporting from home pending the conclusion of their bail application. 

Justice Erhabor directed the activist’s legal counsel to perfect his bail conditions, affirming that the individuals involved were not criminals in the eyes of the law at this stage.