Press Statement: St. Vincent’s College Okwagbe Old Students’ Association Calls For Justice, Rule Of Law On Okuama Detainees

The St. Vincent’s College, Okwagbe Old Students’ Association (SVCOSA) hereby commends the courage, legal acumen, and patriotic intervention of Barr. Frank Tietie for drawing national attention to the continued detention of leaders of the Okuama community in Delta State.

SVCOSA expresses deep concern that these individuals have reportedly remained in detention for nearly two years in an undisclosed facility without being formally charged or arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction. This situation constitutes a grave violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and undermines the fundamental rights to personal liberty and fair hearing.

Of particular concern to our Association is the fact that two of the detainees, Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo and Chief Belvis Adogbo are bona fide old students of St. Vincent’s College, Okwagbe. Their continued detention without trial not only affects their personal liberties but also deeply troubles our collective conscience as an alumni body committed to justice and human dignity.

We note with disappointment that efforts to bring the detainees before the courts have not yielded the expected results. In this circumstance, justice delayed is not only justice denied but justice effectively subverted.

As an association committed to the promotion of justice, equity, and the rule of law, we call on all relevant authorities including the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Nigerian military authorities, and the Delta State Government under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori to take immediate and decisive steps to address this matter.

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Specifically, we demand that the detainees be promptly charged before a court of competent jurisdiction and tried in accordance with the law, or be released unconditionally if there is no credible evidence to sustain any charge against them.

We also call on Delta State representatives at the National Assembly, the Urhobo Traditional Rulers Council (Ukoko R’Ivie R’Urhobo), the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association (Delta State Chapter), and relevant United Nations agencies concerned with human rights and fundamental freedoms to urgently intervene to ensure that justice is served.

Nigeria’s democracy must remain anchored on the supremacy of the rule of law, not arbitrariness. The continued detention of citizens without trial erodes public confidence in state institutions and sets a dangerous precedent.

The time to act is now. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.

Signed:

Prof. G.G. Darah
National President, SVCOSA.