Delta: Have Courts Abandoned the Ordinary Citizen, Okuama Community Asks

The people of Okuama, a community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state, are seeking help, claiming they have been abandoned by authorities to live in ruins since their community was destroyed by security personnel two years ago.

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Following the killing of 17 military personnel in March 2024 by hoodlums, security agents levelled all houses in Okuama, except the Anglican Church, where soldiers took shelter during their operation, in a reprisal attack.

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Two years later, Okuama remains in ruins, with shanty tents and makeshift structures serving as homes for people who previously owned houses, and the community is calling for intervention.

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Last Wednesday, the people of Okuama embarked on a protest march against the continued detention of their leaders and urged Nigerians to intervene in their plight, threatening that there would be no election in their area if their leaders were not released or charged to court.

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During a visit to the community, the people expressed their pain and suffering, with Chairman of Okuama Community, Mr Vote Johnwalker, stating that it has been over two years since their community was destroyed by security agents.

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In August 2024, security agents arrested their leaders, including Prof Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adugbo, and others, who have not been taken to court for arraignment or released, prompting the community to appeal to President Bola Tinubu, Sen. Ede Dafinone, Rt.Hon Ejiroghene Waive, and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene.

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The community is suffering greatly, with no functional medical centre or schools, despite the Governor building a health centre, primary, and secondary school, which are not functioning, leaving the community without access to basic necessities.

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Another indigene, Mr Joseph Oberiko, expressed surprise that their people have been arrested for almost two years without trial, with one of them dying in detention, and the corpse still not available, highlighting the community's desperation.

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A Federal High Court in Warri ordered that the detained leaders be brought to court, but the army has refused to obey the order, leaving the community feeling tired and oppressed, with many families suffering injuries and one death from a recent storm that wrecked their tents.

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Mr Frank Oghoghorie, a community member, protested the injustice done to them, stating that they don't even know if their community leaders are still alive, with James Oghoroko, President General of Okuama, dying in detention, and Pa Dennis Okugbaye almost dying in detention before being released and hospitalised.

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The community is living in dire conditions, with no habitable houses, and residents are forced to live with reptiles in tents, without basic amenities like beds, food, or drinking water, and are calling on the government to take action and release their leaders or take them to court.

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Mrs Maria Adam, a native of the community, lamented the death of her child due to lack of medical care after a storm caused a tree to fall on her and her five children, leaving the others injured and highlighting the community's desperate need for assistance.

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Queen Oghenehwosa, former Woman Leader, added her voice to the protest, stating that they are tired of suffering and want the government to look into the matter and release their people, who have been innocent victims of the conflict.

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Frank Tietie, a lawyer and human rights advocate, expressed concern over the continued detention of Okuama community leaders without charge or trial since 2024, citing grave constitutional and moral concerns for a country that prides itself on adherence to the rule of law.

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Tietie listed the detainees, including Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Dennis Amalaka, and Mabel Owhemu, and noted that James Achovwuko Oghoroko died in military custody, while Pa Dennis Okugbaye was released on health grounds after being critically ill.

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The continued detention of these individuals without arraignment before a competent court of law constitutes a flagrant violation of their constitutional right to personal liberty and fair hearing, according to Tietie.

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Tietie called on the President, Nigerian Military Authorities, Governor of Delta State, and other influential leaders to urgently intervene to ensure that the detainees are released or charged to court and tried in accordance with the law, emphasizing that justice delayed is justice denied.

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Tietie, who shares ancestry with the Urhobo people, expressed deep concern over the sense of helplessness among his kinsmen and stated that he is considering taking legal steps to ensure that justice is done and seen to be done.

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The time spent in detention by the Okuama leaders is sufficient for any serious investigation, and if evidence exists, it should be tested in open court, according to Tietie, who emphasized that Nigeria must not become a nation where liberty is conditional and justice is selective.