By Austin Ogwuda
THE Treasurer of Okuama community in Delta State, Nigeria, aged 81-year-old, Pa Dennis Okugbaye detained along with other Okuama indigenes in connection with the ill-fated Okuama crisis is reported to have died in Military detention.
The death of Pa Okugbaye which purportedly occurred on Tuesday afternoon, according to unconfirmed report came six days after the Community’s President General, Pa James Achovwuko Oghoroko, detained along with him also died in the same Military facility.
Unfortunately, the Military authorities are yet to make any official statement since the first death of Okuama community leader purportedly occurred till now.
Recall that when the first death occurred, there was mass protest, although conducted in peaceful manner by the angry protesters.
According to report, “Dependable source told newsmen in Warri that the Okugbaye family sent about N401,000 between Monday and Tuesday for Okugbaye’s health care through a source who revealed his deteriorating health status at the Nigerian Army headquarters, 6 Division, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt.
“The source who showed electronic transfer receipts of the money sent, hinted that late Oghoroko also died in the same facility in Rivers State”.
The Late Okugbaye was arrested along late Oghoroko, Prof Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mrs. Mabel Owhemu and Mr. Dennis Malaka between August 18 and 20, 2024 and had remained in military detention without trial.
Meanwhile, President Ahmed Tinubu has been called upon to prevail on military authorities to release six indigenes of Okuama Community in their detention.
This call was made by Pastor Edewor Egedegbe, Executive Director, Value Rebirth & Empower Initiative and Sir John Ebireri, Director, Public Relations, Ewu Clan Development Forum while addressing Journalists in Warri to mark World Human Rights Day 2024.
Pastor Egedegbe said that in commemoration of Human Rights Day 2024, they are expressing their concerns over the long detention of Prof. Arthur Ekpokpo, Hon. Belvis Adogbo, Mr. Dennis Okugbaye, Mr. Dennis Amalaka, Owhemu Mabel and Mr. James Oghoroko who allegedly died in detention without any charge brought against them.
According to Pastor Egedegbe, “these individuals have been in detention for over 113 days without any charge brought against them. We believe this is a clear violation of their fundamental human rights as guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution as amended. Their detention is a breach of the principles of democracy and the rule of law”.
