Security
A coalition of civil society organisations, including Sterling Law Centre, Justice for Peace and Development Initiative (JPDI), Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), and 46 others, have asked for the release of a man, Theodore Chinonso Uba, also known as Nonso Nkwa, from indefinite and unlawful detention.
According to the petition, Nonso Nkwa, who has been in police detention in the last 15 days, was reportedly arrested in an abduction-style raid.
They said he was abducted in Owerri, Imo State, on 27 July, 2023 by gunmen who turned out to be police officers, and has remained in their detention since then, without bail or charge.
The petition reminded the police Inspector General, Kayode Egbetokun, that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended stipulates that anyone arrested for any offense shall not be detained beyond 24 hours or at the most 48 hours, depending on the proximity to the court.
“It is even the more embarrassing that Nonso Nkwa’s arrest and continued unlawful detention by the Nigeria Police is said to be at the behest and pleasure of the governor of Imo State, Mr. Hope Uzodinma who is alleged to have accused Nonso Nkwa of defamation.
“The continued detention of Nonso Nkwa beyond the legally permissible duration without being charged is unconstitutional, reckless and irresponsible. It is a gross violation of his fundamental rights to liberty, freedom of movement, human dignity and fair hearing. It violates the principles of due process and rule of law.
“The action of the Police is reckless and discreditable, and portrays the police as an institution that is willing to lend itself as a tool of oppression and for settling personal or political scores.
“We call on the Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to redeem the Nigeria police from this disgraceful depth it has sunk into. He should order the immediate release of Nonso Nkwa, order an impartial investigation into the act of illegality and subversion of the Constitution and the rule of law and bring all those responsible to account. He should make a public pronouncement that the Nigeria Police will no longer be lent to, or used by, any politician as a tool of oppression and repression or for settling scores.”
Signed.
1. Sterling Law Centre, Abuja
2. Justice for Peace and Development Initiative (JPDI), Lagos
3.Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), Aba, Abia State
4.Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights, (CCIDESOR) Owerri, Imo State
5. Spaces for Change, Lagos
6. Public Enlightenment Projects PEP, Abia State
7. Building Blocks for Peace Foundation
8. Elixir Trust Foundation
9. International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC) Anambra State
10. Initiative for Public Safety Security and Educational Development in Nigeria IPSSED NETWORK, Enugu
11. Human Rights Social Development and Environmental Foundation (HURSDEF) Rivers State
12. Justice for Peace and Development Initiative (JPDI)
13. Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa
14. Foundation For Environmental Rights,Advocacy & Development (FENRAD)
15. Centre for citizens Rights, Nasarawa
16. Open Society on Justice Reform Project
17. Community Outreach for Development and Welfare Advocacy (CODWA) ENDORSE
18. Centre for Community Empowerment in Conflict and Peacebuilding, Kaduna
19. Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Lagos
20. Better Community Life Initiative (BECOLIN), Imo State
21.The Inclusion Project (TIP), Lagos
22. Avocats Sans Frontiers( Lawyers without Borders) Abuja
23. Everybody Must Serve Campaign For Human Rights (EMS), Abuja
24. Justice for Peace and Development Initiative (JPDI), Lagos
25. Nnaemeka Ejiofor & Associates
26. The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), Onitsha
27. Life Wire International Foundation, Benin City
28. International Solidarity for Peace and Human Rights Initiative. Enugu
29. “Enugu Civil Society Advancement Network (ECSAN) Enugu
30. Coalition of Civil Society Workers and Human Rights Defenders, Enugu
31. Human Rights Social Development and Environmental Foundation, (HURSDEF), Port Harcourt
32. One love foundation. Benin City
33. Nigerian Observatory For Human Rights, Abuja
34. African Centre for Media & Information Literacy(AFRICMIL) , Abuja
35. Anti-Corruption Awareness Organisation, Enugu
36. Child Rights Foundation, Lagos
37. Foundation For Leadership And Development
38. Rivers State Civil Society Organisations
39. Association of West Africa Media Lawyers
40. Rethink Africa Foundation
41. FOI Counsel
42. Habitat care and Protection Initiative (HAPI)
43. Dinju, Fashe & Co.
44. Foundation for Civic Education, Human Rights, and Development Advancement (FoCEHRaDA)
45. Akwa Ibom Human Rights Community (AKHRC)
46.Institutional and Sustainable Development Foundation. FCT
47. Foundation for Livelihood Advancement Owerri, Imo State
48. Foundation for Livelihood Advancement Owerri, Imo State
49. Citizen Community Aid & Development Initiative
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– Aug. 10, 2023 @ 17:32 GMT |
Tags: Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society IGP Kayode Egbetokun Mr. Hope Uzodinma Nonso Nkwa Theodore Chinonso Uba
