Okuama villagers protest one-year military detention of leaders without trial

Residents of Okuama community in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the plight of their detained leaders, who have spent one year in military custody without trial.

The leaders were arrested in connection with the killing of 17 officers and soldiers on a peace mission to the community on March 14, 2024.

At a press conference in Okuama on Monday, convened by Human Rights Advocate and Chairman of Citizens Right Concern Enhancement Initiative (CRCEI), Comrade Edewor Egedegbe, the villagers condemned what they described as the “flagrant violation” of their leaders’ fundamental rights by the Nigerian Army.

They listed the detainees as Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mr. James Oghoroko (now deceased), Mr. Dennis Okugbaye, Mr. Dennis Amalaka, and Mrs. Mabel Owhemu.

The six were arrested between August 18 and 19, 2024, and, according to the community, have since been denied access to doctors, lawyers, and family members.

The continued incarceration of our leaders without trial mocks Nigeria’s democracy and ridicules the rule of law,” the community declared. “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 lamented that one of the detainees, Pa. James Oghoroko, died in custody while awaiting trial, heightening fears about the health and safety of the others.

They also criticised the military’s insistence on handling investigations into the Okuama killings outside the country’s criminal justice system, saying it was incompatible with democratic principles.

Calling on President Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Senator Ede Dafinone to intervene, the community insisted 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 thorough and transparent investigation into the killing of the 17 soldiers along the Forcados River, stressing that justice must serve both the slain servicemen and the wrongly detained villagers.