By Rita Ugo
The traditional ruler of Ubulu-Uku, Aniocha- South Local Government Area, Delta State, HRM, Obi Noah Akaeze I, has called on Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to look into the issue of indiscriminate arrest and intimidation of two of his subjects by the police.
The subjects were arrested on the prompting of Asika Onwordi, who claimed that he acted on the instructions of Obi Akaeze, who has vehemently denied giving any instructions for the arrest of the subjects.
However, the police have granted the subjects bail, but one of them, Ngozi Onwordi, a journalist, had his phones seized by the police, on the pretext that they were conducting forensic analysis on the phones.
In two separate petitions to the IGP, HRM Akaeze I, through Chidi Ezenwafor, managing partner, Eze Nwafor & Co., solicitors, called for the discontinuance of the case and the immediate release of the journalist’s phones.
“We are solicitors to His Royal Majesty, Obi Noah Akaeze I, the Obi of Ubulu-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government, Delta State. Our client instructed us to write you on the demand for termination of investigation arising from arrest initiated by Chief Asika Onwordi. Our client has brought our attention to the recent arrest and the ongoing investigation at Force Criminal Investigation Depaertment, reportedly initiated by Chief Asika Onwordi of Ubulu-Uku. We are instructed to categorically state that HRH did not authorize, instruct or otherwise approve the said arrest or any related actions.
“The individuals arrested pursuant to the authorized action of Chief Onwordi, be released unconditionally. The investigation is understood to be handled by Supol Sunny, with GSM number 08033284803. We respectfully request that this letter and all enclosure be brought to his attention to for compliance.”
Another petition addressed to the IGP, signed by Lawrence Ayogu, for Ezenwafor & Co., stated that, “We are solicitors to Mr. Ngozi Fortune Onwordi (“Our Client”) and write on his behalf regarding the continued and unjustifiable detention of his personal property by operatives of the FCID, Abuja.
“We refer to the events arising from the investigation, arrest and detention of our client, based on a petition allegedly submitted on behalf of the traditional monarch of Ubulu-Uku by one Chief James Asika Onwordi. It is now a matter of record that His Royal Majesty, the Obi of Ubulu-Uku, has expressly disclaimed any knowledge of or authority for the said petition. His position in this regard has been communicated to your officers through a formal letter, delivered by Obidi Ofulue, His Majesty’s uncle, and reiterated in correspondence issued under our firm’s seal.
“Notwithstanding the clear and unequivocal directive from His Majesty to terminate any such investigation, your officers, particularly CP H.U. Okafor and CSP Sunday Aghaluhor of the Admin Section, FCID, have continued to unlawfully retain two mobile devices belonging to our client and his wife: an iPhone 12 Pro Max and a Redmi Note 12 Pro. These devices are integral to their personal and business activities, especially the latter, which is essential to our client’s wife’s digital enterprise.
“The continued seizure of these items is unlawful, unjustified and a clear violation of the fundamental rights of our client and his wife as protected under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and relevant statutes, including: Section 34 – Right to dignity of the human person; Section 35(6) – Right to remedy for unlawful detention; Section 37 – Right to privacy; Section 44 – Right to property; Section 10(7), Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, prohibition of arbitrary retention of property.
“To date, no charge has been filed against our client, and there is no subsisting court order authorising the retention of the said devices. Consequently, their continued detention amounts to a gross abuse of police powers, a breach of our client’s constitutional rights, and an actionable wrong under Nigerian law.
“In light of the foregoing, we hereby demand the immediate and unconditional release of the two mobile devices to our client within 48 hours of receipt of this letter.
“Should you fail to comply within this period, we shall, without further notice, initiate proceedings at the Federal High Court to enforce our client’s fundamental rights and to seek substantial compensation for the unlawful seizure and the disruption caused to their lives and livelihoods.
“We trust that this matter will receive your prompt and appropriate attention in accordance with the law.”