Northern Ethnic Group Assembly (NEYGA) has protested against alleged harassment of cashew farmers, especially in the North Central Region, by the leadership of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN).

The organisation also urged the Federal Government to dismantle illegal roadblocks mounted by NCAN across the country, saying that the checkpoints were obstructing free movement of goods.

NEYGA Spokesperson, Ibrahim Danmusa, in a statement yesterday, appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the government of Edo, Ogun and Lagos states to take note of the situation.

He said NCAN could not force itself on cashew farmers, as ”membership of any organisation should be voluntary, and any attempt to thrust oneself on the farmers would be dictatorial and resisted.”

He pointed out that the misunderstanding was already before a court of competent jurisdiction, which aggrieved members must restraint themselves from illegal activities until the finality of the case.

The statement reads in part: “While we acknowledge his right to register and own an association, NEYGA says the Cashew Stakeholders’ Association that is known to the law/constitution, whose members pay taxes accordingly, and contributing to the national development should be allowed to operate without any further interference from NCAN.

“The continued harassment of our members contradicts Chapter 4, Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which says, ‘Every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union, or any other association for the protection of his interests.’

“Allowing Ajanaku to block roads at will in the name of NCAN taskforce is illegal.

“We all know that what Ajanaku is doing is unacceptable and calls for concern and questioning. His activity is before a court of competent jurisdiction.

“We, therefore, urge the public, relevant authorities, Ogun, Edo and Lagos states and appropriate bodies to investigate Ajanaku’s activities.”