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By Oscar Okhifo
Human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately release citizens held for over four years without trial.
The detainees according to Sowore were arrested in 2021 while travelling to Abuja for a court appearance in the Nnamdi Kanu case.
“If truly we have transitioned from military rule to democracy, why are citizens illegally arrested and detained sine die without any court order?” Sowore asked in a statement on his Facebook page.
He alleged that the individuals were arrested by DSS operatives in Lokoja, Kogi State, and have been held at the Wawa Barracks detention facility without charge or trial.
“Their only offence was travelling to Abuja to attend a court appearance in the case of Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.
According to the outspoken critic, the detainees, mostly from Ebonyi State, have remained in custody for more than four years without being charged.
He listed those detained as Wisdom Ezike, Kenneth Ojima, Chinedu Nwoba, Igwe Sampson, David Ogbonnaya, Aja Joseph, Barrister Awoke, Chinoso Oyibe, Eze Joseph, Okezie Fortune, and two drivers, including one identified as Ikechukwu.
“One could also ask why the South East, especially the families of the victims, have remained so quiet over the years,” Sowore stated.
He demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees, compensation for their prolonged detention, accountability for officers allegedly responsible, and the closure of Wawa Barracks and any other alleged secret detention facilities.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS had not responded to the allegations.