By Ugochukwu Alaribe
UMUAHIA- Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, beneath the umbrella of Motion Group on Free Civil House, AGFCS, South East zone, have referred to as on the Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Ogbonna Nwifuru,to order the instant launch of a human rights activist, Emmanuel Acha, who’s being detained on the Abakaliki Correctional Centre, over alleged possession of arms and homicide.
The group alleged that Acha was arrested in Enugu in March 2025, in retaliation for a go well with he filed in December 2024 difficult the actions of the federal government within the Effium-Ezza land dispute in Ohaukwu council space of Ebonyi State.
It acknowledged that moderately than partaking Acha’s authorized considerations by means of lawful channels, the state authorities has allegedly been detaining him with out bail on trumped-up expenses.
The CSO which embody the Basis for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Growth, FENRAD, Areas for Change; Rule of Legislation and Accountability Advocacy Centre, RULAAC; Higher Group Life Initiative, BECOLIN; and the Initiative for Ideally suited Growth and Emancipatory Management in Nigeria; amongst others; tasked the Governor to make sure that the detained activist obtain instant medical consideration, entry to his lawyer, household and safety from additional abuse in custody.
It additionally tasked the Governor to ask unbiased mediators, CSOs and worldwide observers to watch the implementation of the Ebonyi State white paper on the Effium-Ezza battle,as a part of the inclusive and peace course of.
The CSOs additionally condemned using state energy and alleged that the activist is being tried by a Choose from the rival neighborhood concerned within the battle, which raises critical points about judicial impartiality.
Spokesman for the CSOs, Comrade Nelson Nwafor, urged Nwifuru to respect Acha’s rights and withdraw all politically motivated expenses in addition to be sure that proceedings comply with due course of.
The CSOs stated;”Comrade Emma Acha was arrested in Enugu at about 5 am in March 2025, and transfered to Abakaliki prisons . in response to his household and shut associates,the arrest was orchestrated in retaliation for a civil go well with he filed in December 2024, difficult the federal government actions in relation to the purported Effium-Ezza protracted land dispute in Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State.
“Relatively than interact Acha’s authorized considerations by means of lawful channels,the state authorities has chosen coercion over dialogue, detaining him with out bail on trumped up expenses which incorporates arms possession and homicide. Upon his arrest,Acha was subjected to bodily assaults and psychological torment by the police,one in all whom hails from Ezza extraction.No incriminating proof was discovered on him and his arrest was not primarily based on any judicial warrant.
“We hereby name on Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to order the instant and unconditional launch of Comrade Emmanuel Acha and others detained for asserting their rights concerning the Effium-Ezza battle.
” Guarantee he receives instant medical consideration, granted entry to his lawyer, household and safety from additional abuses in custody.
“Withdraw all politically motivated expenses and be sure that proceedings comply with due course of and impartiality.”
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