WARRI/Nigeria: Hearing on the prolonged detention of Okuama community leaders by the Nigerian Army suffered a setback on Thursday as the Federal High Court sitting in Warri adjourned proceedings, triggering renewed outrage and calls for their immediate release.
The adjournment, which stalled consideration of pending applications challenging the continued military custody of the detainees, has intensified pressure on the Federal Government, with community leaders and legal representatives describing the situation as a grave violation of the rule of law and human rights.
The case, which stems from the arrest of several Okuama leaders following the March 14, 2024 incident in Delta State, has remained a subject of controversy, particularly over the Army’s alleged refusal to comply with court orders directing that the detainees be produced before the court.
Reacting to the development, Secretary General of the Ewu Clan Development Forum, Amb. Edewor Egedegbe, condemned the adjournment, describing it as a disservice to the people of Okuama and the wider Urhobo nation.
He said the continued detention of the leaders despite subsisting court orders was unacceptable, warning that the patience of the people was being overstretched.
“That we are peace-loving should not be taken for granted. Enough is enough,” Egedegbe said, noting that the community has maintained calm and engaged in peace-building efforts since the crisis began.
He lamented what he described as the government’s persistent disregard for judicial authority, pointing out that the order mandating the production of the detainees, issued as far back as June 2025, has yet to be obeyed.
“This is about the fifth court session since that order was made, yet there has been no compliance. Okuama people are suffering; Ewu Kingdom is in pain,” he added.
Counsel to the Okuama community, Dr. Jonathan Ekperusi, also criticised the continued detention, insisting that it violates both the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights standards.
He disclosed that despite formally serving the court order on relevant authorities, including the Attorney General of the Federation and top military officials, there has been no response.
Ekperusi explained that the matter was adjourned due to a valedictory court session organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, Warri branch, in honour of a deceased senior lawyer, as well as ongoing law week activities of the Effurun branch.
He, however, maintained that the core issue remains the government’s refusal to obey court directives.
“If the government has evidence against the detainees, they should be charged to court. The military is not a court of law,” he said.
The lawyer further described the situation as “an aberration” in a democratic setting, arguing that holding civilians in prolonged military detention without trial undermines the principles of justice and fair hearing.
He also raised concerns over restricted access to the detainees, alleging that their lawyers, families and medical personnel have been denied contact, while confirming reports that one of the detainees, community leader James Oghorokpo, died in custody.
Human rights advocate and renowned academic, Prof. Godini G. Darah, expressed similar concerns, condemning what he termed a blatant disregard for the rule of law.
He described the situation as unacceptable in a democratic society, urging the Federal Government to respect due process and uphold the constitutional rights of the detainees.
Observers warn that the continued impasse not only deepens tensions in the affected communities but also raises critical questions about adherence to judicial authority and the state of democracy in Nigeria.
The case has been adjourned to May 19, 2026, for hearing of pending applications, even as calls mount for the immediate release or prosecution of the detainees in line with the law.
