Residents of the Okuama community in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the continued detention of their community leaders, who have been held in military custody for one year without trial.
Naija News understands that the detainees were arrested in connection with the killing of 17 military officers and soldiers on a peace mission to the community on March 14, 2024.
Speaking at a press conference in Okuama on Monday, the Chairman of Citizens Right Concern Enhancement Initiative (CRCEI), Comrade Edewor Egedegbe, described the prolonged incarceration as a “flagrant violation” of the leaders’ fundamental rights.
The detained leaders were listed as Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mr. James Oghoroko (now deceased), Mr. Dennis Okugbaye, Mr. Dennis Amalaka, and Mrs. Mabel Owhemu.
According to the community, the six were arrested between August 18 and 19, 2024, and have since been denied access to doctors, lawyers, and their families.
The villagers stated, “The continued incarceration of our leaders without trial mocks Nigeria’s democracy and ridicules the rule of law.
“The Nigerian Army has continued to act in gross disregard of constitutional provisions that guarantee the dignity of the human person and the right to a fair hearing.”
The villagers expressed concern over the death of one of the detainees, Pa. James Oghoroko, while in custody, raising fears about the health and safety of the remaining leaders.
They also criticised the military’s handling of the investigation outside the country’s criminal justice system, insisting it was incompatible with democratic norms.
The residents urged President Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Senator Ede Dafinone to intervene urgently, maintaining that “there is no prima facie evidence in the possession of the military to justify the continued detention of our leaders.”
They further demanded a transparent investigation into the killing of the 17 soldiers along the Forcados River, stressing that justice must serve both the slain officers and the “wrongly detained villagers.”
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