Human Rights group ‘The Due Process Advocates’ threatens a showdown over the arrest of their leader, Emeka Ugwuonye
A human rights group, The Due Process Advocates (DPA) has bitterly challenged the Nigerian government over the arrest of the leader by the members of the law enforcement. DPA leader and facilitator, Ephraim Emeka Ugwuonye who is also a principal Counsel at ECULAW GROUP based in Washington D.C. was taken away by the Nigerian Law enforcement in a process described by a DPA representative Attorney Kingsley Ughe as, “abuse of due process and flagrant violation of rule of law by men and officers of the Nigerian Police. “
Ughe confirmed that Ugwuonye was kidnapped, led away and forcibly flown to the dark cell of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Police Command at the Federal Capital, Abuja. While the Nigerian authorities are not commenting on the case, documents show that Ugwuonye was being charged for “concealment” – an allegation described by Ughe as “meaningless.”
In his detailed account of Ugwuonye’s brush with the law, Ughe stated, “A crack team of police officers from the anti-kidnapping squad of the Criminal Investigation Department of the FCT Police Command barged into our office in plain clothes welding automatic assault war-issued riffles. They were six in number and roughly demanded to see Mr. Emeka Ugwuonye. The chambers’ admin officer informed them that Mr. Emeka was attending to docket responsibility in court.”
Ughe continued in his account, “The initial suspicion was that they were hired assassins. Amidst the chaos and confusion, some lawyers sneaked out of the office and alerted the security personnel guiding the office complex of ECULAW & Co. The invading marauders retreated. Emeka was immediately contacted while a detachment of lawyers from the firm quickly rushed down to the nearby Bar Beach Police Station, Victoria Island, ostensibly to get police protection for Emeka and the firm. Surprisingly, the lawyers met these same invaders in the office of the DPO of the Bar Beach Police Station where they positively identified themselves as officers of the Anti-kidnapping squad of the FCT Police Command, Abuja.”
In a long memo circulated to the group proposing a massive protest, Ughe wrote in part, “We want to send a clear note of warning in no uncertain terms that we shall vigorously defend and protect Emeka Ugwuonye’s fundamental human rights and this we shall do without fear or favor, no matter whose ox gored. The era of impunity and wanton detention of citizens on the most spurious allegation is gone. It is even more shocking that the Nigerian Police authority could expend enormous resources and finance to arrest a man for an offence defined in their arrest warrant as “CONCEALMENT.” As a firm, we are at a loss what the police authority meant by CONCEALMENT and whether there is such a known offence under Nigerian law.”
The group it was gathered has determined to commence what it tagged, “Mother Of All Protests. “Our resolve as a group, is once again being challenged by wrathful small men wielding naked power. Our principles are being crudely assaulted by sponsored forces of retrogression and their civilian pay master like the likes of David Aiyedogbon of dubious financial origin. All members of DPA are hereby notified of the commencement of the ‘Mother of All Protests (Phase One)” the memo read.
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