Veteran nollywood actor, lawyer, and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has cautioned Nigerians against misinterpreting constitutional freedoms, stating emphatically that “no freedom is absolute.”
Speaking at the 1st Civil Society Summit on Civic Democracy and National Development, Okonkwo drew on both legal insight and personal experience to explain how individual rights are limited by the rights of others.
“That you have freedom of movement doesn’t mean you can walk into someone’s house without permission—that’s criminal trespass,” he said.
“That you have freedom of speech doesn’t give you the right to malign someone.”
Offering legal advice to the audience, Okonkwo warned against making public accusations that cannot be substantiated with evidence.
“Even the truth you know, but can’t prove—don’t go public with it. The judge is not interested in what you know, but in what you can prove,” he explained.
He emphasized that public commentary without evidence could lead to defamation suits, regardless of the truth.
On the right to assembly, Okonkwo stressed that only peaceful gatherings are protected by the constitution.
“Once your protest turns violent—once you start killing people or destroying property—you are no longer protected under Section 40,” he stated.
“Every right is curtailed by the rights of others. No freedom is absolute.”
Okonkwo also recounted personal experiences of racial profiling in Dubai and Hong Kong, attributing the suspicion he faced to Nigeria’s battered global reputation.
In Dubai, he was subjected to excessive scrutiny by airport authorities until someone recognized him as a popular African actor.
“They checked everywhere—even my toes. Then someone said, ‘Don’t you know him? He’s one of our best actors.’ The officer felt ashamed and apologized,” he said.
In Hong Kong, he was questioned for ending his trip early—a move that defied local profiling patterns.
“They asked if I didn’t like their country. I said I did, but my own country is better—Nigeria. They gave me sarcastic smiles. But I stood my ground.”
Despite the negative perception abroad, Okonkwo emphasized his unwavering patriotism:
“As I fight for Nigeria within, I praise Nigeria outside.”
Call for Civic Action
He concluded by urging Nigerians to rise above silence and complacency, warning that bad leadership may be temporary, but damaging the country’s image could be permanent.
“There are not up to 5,000 politicians. They do abracadabra and we stay quiet. No! When the people rise, they win. It happened in Bangladesh. It can happen here too,” he said.
“I don’t support military rule. But democracy, when defended collectively, is resilient.”