The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has described the summon issued on former President Goodluck Jonathan to appear in court as “judicial persecution”.
It vowed to resist any attempt to humiliate the former president.
An Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Okon Abang, had subpoenaed Jonathan as a witness for former spokesmanof Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Olisah Metuh.
However, the IYC, in a statement issued by its factional President, Oweilaemi Pereotubo, noted that it was unprecedented for any past leader to be selected for the sort of public humiliation being suggested by Justice Okon Abang.
It warned that if carried through, the treatment might adversely affect Nigeria’s unity.
The body, however, called on President Muhammadu Buhari as well as ex-Presidents to quickly intervene now before the situation goes out of control.
“To us, the invitation is made with mischief as same is not only made mala fide, but also calculated to embarrass the person and office of President Goodluck Jonathan. This is the first of its kind in the history of this country and same should not be allowed to pride in.
“It is an affront to the person of President Jonathan for a court to invite him in such a humiliating manner, especially when it is glaring that the intent and purposes for the subpoena is to use the instrumentalities of the judicial powers to persecute the man in order to put him to public disrepute.
“We will not allow that to happen.”
