Release detained Okuama community indigenes, Ewu leaders write Tinubu

As part of the commemoration of Human Rights Day, Leaders of Ewu and Value Rebirth & Empowerment Initiative Tuesday wrote an open letter to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Army to release detained six indigenes of Okuama Community after over one hundred and thirteen(113) days without charging them to Court. 

The call was made at the Press Centre of the Warri Correspondents' Chapel Warri during a world press briefing.

The six Okuama Community indigenes still in detention include, Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Hon.(Chief) Belvis Adogbo, Mr. Dennis Okugbaye, Mr. Dennis Malaka, Owhemu Mabel including late James Oghoroko whose corpse is in unknown morgue.

The letter said, "We believe this is a clear violation of their fundamental human rights as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended). 

Executive Director,Value Rebirths & Empowerment Initiative, PastorEdewor Egedegbe reading the letter said, "The detention of these individuals is not only a violation of their human rights but also a breach of the principles of democracy and the rule of law."

They expressed sadness over the death of the President-General of Okuama Community, Mr. James Oghorokor who died in an undisclosed Army detention on December 4, 2024. 

The letter further read, "We demand that a thorough investigation be conducted into the circumstances surrounding his death."

While noting that Sen. Ede Dafinone wrote to the Chief of Army Staff on October 9, 2024 calling for the release of the detainees or they be charged to court, the group said, "Unfortunately, the military has refused to comply with this request."

They tasked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use his office to order the immediate and unconditional release of the Okuama indigenes being detained by the military. 

The Ewu leaders also said the President should order the military to handover the investigation of the murder of the 17 officers and men of the military to the Police. 

"Remind the military that this is a democratic regime and their act of impunity will not be tolerated. 

"Set up a special Commission of inquiry to investigate and unravel the remote cause of the March 14th inferno, the subsequent reprisal, and the burning down of the Okuama Community by the Army. 

"Ensure that the Army operates within the confines of Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended)." It added.

In the same vein, Director Public Relations, Ewu Clan Development Forum, Sir. John Ebireri Esq also expressed deep concern over the continuous detention of the six indigenes of Okuama Community by the Nigerian Army despite persistent outcry and appeal to the Federal Government to intervene.

"We urged President Tinubu to treat with urgency, while expressing further alarm over a recent report of the death of Mr. James Oghorokor, President General of Okuama Community, one of the six indigenes of Okuama languishing in Army's detention facilities.

"As the death of James Oghorokor puts us and the entire people of Ewu-Kinhdom in mourning mood, we are constrained to emphasize that no authority or security agency has legal justification to take anybody's life save in execution of the sentence of a court order. 

"in the eyes of law, our kinsmen who are being detained by the Nigerian Army and presumed innocent until proven otherwise by a court of law. Therefore, their right to fair hearing in court is inviolable." He added.