An Editorial: One Year Later, Okuama’s Cry for Justice Tests Legitimacy of Nigeria Democracy

The legitimacy of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s democratic government is being severely tested as the indigenes of Okuama community in Delta State lament the continuous detention of their leaders by the Nigerian Army without trial. For a year now, six leaders of the community, namely Prof Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mr James Oghoroko, Dennis Okugbaye, Dennis Amalaka, and Mrs Mabel Owhemu, have been held in military custody, their rights to fair hearing in a competent court of law grossly violated.

The action of the Nigerian Army flagrantly disregards the fundamental rights of Prof Ekpekpo, Chief Adogbo, Mr Oghoroko, Okugbaye, Amalaka, and Mrs Owhemu, including the dignity of human person as guaranteed in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The non-release of these leaders makes a mockery of Nigerian democracy and showcases the blatant disregard for the rule of law and the Nigerian judicial system by the military authorities.

The indigenes, led by Comrade Edewor Egedegbe, Human Rights Advocate and Chairman BOT at Citizens Right Concern Enhancement Initiative (CRCEI), are particularly worried that President Tinubu, the National Assembly, and the Judiciary are looking away while the military works to subvert the rule of law in Nigeria. The fronting of military investigation in the Okuama incident conflicts sharply with the country’s criminal justice system. The death of Pa. James Oghorokor in military custody has further heightened concerns over the state of health of the other detainees, including Prof Ekpekpo, Chief Adogbo, Okugbaye, Amalaka, and Mrs Owhemu.

The government must take immediate action to address this grave injustice. The detained leaders, Prof Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Dennis Okugbaye, Dennis Amalaka, and Mrs Mabel Owhemu, should be released forthwith, and a thorough investigation into the killing of the 17 service men along the Forcados River should be conducted. The government must prioritize the rule of law and ensure that institutions are strengthened to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Okuama detainees’ case is a test of Nigeria’s democracy, and the government’s response will determine whether the country will uphold the rule of law and respect human rights. The indigenes of Okuama community are crying out for justice, and it is imperative that their voices are heard.