The sort of democracy we practice in Africa is pathetic–we need to call it something else, more like shuffling between tyranny and mercy whenever we want.
Though there are limits to free speech, there’s no way anyone naming his dog Buhari should be considered an offence or abuse of freedom of speech.
Yet, the Nigerian man who “named his dog Buhari, Joachim Iroko, aka Joe, was remanded on Monday at the Ibara Prison following his arraignment at the Ota Magistrate Court 2, Ogun State,” reports Punch Nigeria.
The website adds that:
He was charged to court by the police with conduct likely to cause breach of the peace, in a case with suit number MOT/617c/2016.
The prosecutor, Inspector Itaita Ebibomini, said the accused committed the offence on Saturday, August 13, 2016, at the Hausa section of Ketere Market in Sango-Ota in the Ota Magisterial District.
The prosecutor told the court that the offence was punishable under Section 249 (d) of Criminal Law of Ogun State, Nigeria, 2016.
The accused, who was represented by a counsel, U. Michael, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
And his actual charge reads:
“That you, Joachim Iroko, aka Joe, and others still at large, on Saturday, August 13, 2016, at about 5.30pm at the Ketere area, Sango, in the Ota Magisterial District did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace, by writing a name, Buhari, on a dog and parading same in the Hausa section of Ketere Market, Sango, thereby, committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Law of Ogun State, Nigeria, 2016.”