National President, St. Vincent’s College, Okwagbe Old Students’ Association (SVCOSA), Prof. Godini Darah, has expressed deep concern that some members of the association have reportedly remained in detention for nearly two years in an undisclosed facility without being formally charged or arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.

Darah said the situation constitutes a grave violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and undermines the fundamental rights to personal liberty and fair hearing. Two of the detainees, Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo and Chief Belvis Adogbo, are old students at the college and among the six detained and accused of killing soldiers at Okuama in Delta State.

He said: “We note with disappointment that efforts to bring the detainees before the courts have not yielded the expected results. In this circumstance, justice delayed is not only justice denied but justice effectively subverted. Their continued detention without trial not only affects their personal liberties but also deeply troubles our collective conscience as an alumni body committed to justice and human dignity.”

Darah demanded that the detainees be promptly charged before a court of competent jurisdiction and tried in accordance with the law, or be released unconditionally if there is no credible evidence to sustain any charge against them.

He said Nigeria’s democracy must remain anchored on the supremacy of the rule of law, not arbitrariness. “The continued detention of citizens without trial erodes public confidence in state institutions and sets a dangerous precedent.”

While committing to the promotion of justice, equity, and the rule of law, the association called on all relevant authorities, including the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Nigerian military authorities, and the Delta State Government under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to take immediate and decisive steps to address this matter.

The group also called on 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 that justice is served. (The Guardian)