Prof Arthur Ekpekpo,Other Okuama to Appear in Court Tomorrow
By Ovie Edomi
Professor Arthur Ekpekpo and other Okuamas that are being detained in Port Harcourt by the Nigerian Army since August 18, 2024, without trial are to be arraigned in a Federal High Court. The case with Suit No: FHC/WR/CS/42/2024, between the Federal Government and Professor Ekpekpo and others, is scheduled for hearing tomorrow at the federal high Court in Warri, Delta State.
Until now there have been widespread public outcries and repeated calls for the release of Professor Arthur Ekpekpo—a respected academician and President General of the Eghwu Development Union, Mr. Bevis Adogbo, Ms. Mabel Ohwemu and Mr. Denis Okugbaye. But the Nigerian Army has remained silent even after Justice Jonathan Ekperusi of the Federal High Court ordered the Army to produce Professor Ekpekpo in court.
The case which has already drawn international attention, especially with reports that Mr. James Oghoroko, one of the detained individuals, has died in military custody is according to a United Kingdom-based Nigerian, Olorogun Ovo Agbodje, constitutes a serious violation of the constitutional rights of the five Okuama indigenes.
As the case comes up tomorrow, Olorogun Agbodje says the Urhobo people as well as the Lawyers representing the Okuama namely Chief Albert Akpomudje, SAN, Prof Joseph Abugu, SAN and others including well-meaning Nigerians should stand for justice—especially in defense of these innocent people.