The National President of St. Vincent's College, Okwagbe Old Students' Association (SVCOSA), Prof. Godini Darah, has expressed profound concern over the continued detention of some association members for nearly two years. They are reportedly held in an undisclosed facility without formal charges or arraignment before a competent court. Darah stated that this situation constitutes a serious violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and undermines fundamental rights to personal liberty and fair hearing.
Detainees and Allegations
Two of the detainees, Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo and Chief Belvis Adogbo, are alumni of the college. They are among six individuals detained and accused of killing soldiers at Okuama in Delta State. Darah noted with disappointment that efforts to bring the detainees before the courts have not yielded expected results. He emphasized that justice delayed is not only justice denied but effectively subverted.
Call for Action
Darah demanded that the detainees be promptly charged before a competent court and tried according to the law, or released unconditionally if no credible evidence exists to sustain any charge. He stressed that Nigeria's democracy must remain anchored on the supremacy of the rule of law, not arbitrariness. The continued detention without trial erodes public confidence in state institutions and sets a dangerous precedent.
The association, committed to promoting justice, equity, and the rule of law, called on all relevant authorities to take immediate and decisive steps. These include the Federal Government, Nigerian military authorities, and Delta State Government under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Appeals to Institutions
The group also appealed to Delta State representatives at the National Assembly, the Urhobo Traditional Rulers Council (Ukoko R'Ivie R'Urhobo), the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Delta State Chapter, and relevant United Nations agencies concerned with human rights and fundamental freedoms to urgently intervene to ensure justice is served.
