Court Adjourns Okuama Leaders’ Case To October 5 Amid Alleged Army Non-Compliance

WARRI — The Federal High Court sitting in Warri has adjourned the case involving Professor Arthur Ekpekpo and other detained Okuama community leaders to October 5, 2026, for the continuation of substantive hearing.

The adjournment followed allegations that the Nigerian Army has not complied with the court’s earlier order directing the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees despite being served with a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment.

The court had previously ordered the release of Professor Ekpekpo and the other Okuama leaders, but the applicants told the court that the order has yet to be obeyed.

The hearing drew the presence of several prominent academics and labour leaders, including Prof. G.G. Darah, National President of the St. Vincent’s College Okwagbe Old Students’ Association; Prof. Basil Iwhiwhu, President of Ukoko R’Emotor; and Comrade Matthew Eyuren, Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Delta State University chapter.

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Professor Ekpekpo and the other Okuama leaders were detained following the March 2024 killing of 17 Nigerian Army personnel in Okuama community, Delta State. Their continued detention has generated widespread concern among community leaders and human rights advocates.

The matter will resume on October 5, 2026.