By Austin Ogwuda
BARELY one month after the Military arrested and detained President General of Ewu-Urhobo community, Prof Arthur Ekpekpo in connection with the killing of 17 Soldiers on purported peace mission, the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has ordered the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa to produce him in court.
Professor Ekpekpo, Pa James Oghoroko, Pa Dennis Okugbaye, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Pa Anthony Ahwemuria and Mrs Rita Akata were arrested by the Military between August 18 and 20, 2024.
Unfortunately, two of these detained Ewu leaders have reportedly died in custody.
But reprieve came yesterday (Monday) when Justice H. A. Ngajiwa of the Federal High Court Warri gave the order while considering the bail request for Prof Ekpekpo in the suit No: FHC/WR/CS/42/2024, filed before it by the Okuama community.
Ruling, the Judge stated that “After hearing Dr Jonathan Ekperusi Esq, Counsel for the applicants, the court, having considered the circumstances of the case, hereby ordered as follows: ‘An order is made against the 3rd and 5th respondents to produce the 1st applicant (Prof Arthur Ekpekpo) in court on the next adjourned date.
“The order is also to be served on the second respondent, the Attorney-General of the Federation.
“The case is adjourned to the 30th day of September 2025 for hearing of the pending motion for bail”.
Concerned Academics and Citizens blasts ASUU for abandoning Prof. Ekpekpo
Recall that on the 26th of April this year, an Open Letter for the Demand for Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo’s release was sent out by the ‘Concerned Academics and Citizens’.
The group berated the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for not issuing a statement condemning Prof. Ekpekpo’s continued incarceration without trial, describing the silence as worrisome.
The letter reads:
“We are writing to express deep concern about the detention of Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, a respected academic and community leader from Delta State University Abraka. Prof. Ekpekpo, a former Dean of the Faculty of Science and highly respected scholar, has been held in military detention since last year without trial.
Unanswered Questions
The circumstances surrounding his detention are unclear, but it appears to be linked to his position as Overall President General of several communities under Ewu Kingdom, including Okuama community, where soldiers were murdered last year. Despite being declared wanted by the military high command, Prof. Ekpekpo’s detention has raised serious questions about due process and the rule of law.
ASUU’s Silence
We are particularly disappointed that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has not issued a statement condemning Prof. Ekpekpo’s continued incarceration without trial. As a union that advocates for the rights and welfare of academic staff, ASUU’s silence on this matter is concerning.
Call to Action
We urge the ASUU chairman, Delta State University Chapter, to seek an audience with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, to advocate for Prof. Ekpekpo’s release or trial. Given the number of community leaders who have died in military detention, including the President General of Okuama community, it is imperative that ASUU acts swiftly to prevent further injustice.
Questions for the Attorney General
Mr. Attorney General, we question the efficacy of your office in upholding human rights and the rule of law. Your appointment was met with hope that you would bring a human rights perspective to your role. However, the continued detention of Prof. Ekpekpo without trial raises serious concerns about your commitment to justice and human rights.
Conclusion
We hope that immediate action will be taken to address Prof. Ekpekpo’s situation and ensure that justice is served.
Sincerely,
Dr. Orhonigbe Innocent
Department of Biochemistry, Delta State University Abraka.
Credit: Punch
