Court orders Army to release alleged IPOB sponsor

A Federal High Court has ordered the Nigerian Army to release one Tochukwu Okeke, who has been in detention since July 5 over an allegation that he is a sponsor of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Justice Stephen Pam sitting at the Port Harcourt division of the court further ordered the unconditional release of the detainee, after it heard a fundamental right enforcement suit that was filed on his behalf by his lawyer, Mr. Chinedum Agwaramgbo.

The court has directed the applicant to effect service of the order on the Nigerian Army, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Farouk Yahaha and the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Mechanized Division, Enugu, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, who are named as first to third respondents in the suit marked FHC/PH/203/2021.

In a 26-paragraphed affidavit, the respondent, Mr. Anih Nkem, told the court that the applicant was on July 5, arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport by military officers.

He alleged that the applicant had since then, remained in military cell at Enugu, adding that “in spite of the fact that nothing criminal or incriminating was established against him, the respondents have failed to release him or charge him that court or have him transferred to Nigeria Police Force and have continued to detain him at their cell without good food or water.”

That the men and officers of the respondents have conducted a search of his abode but all their searches and ransacking of his home did not yield anything insidious or incriminating against him or lend any credence to the vague accusations by the officers of the respondents that he was suspected of being a sponsor of the proscribed terrorist group, IPOB and its ESN.

“That the physical, mental and emotional health condition of the Applicant is deteriorating daily under the tortuous incarceration by the respondents.

“That I believe that there is a grave danger of the applicant dying of health issues or brain complications at the hands of the respondents except this honourable court intervenes to save his life,” the affidavit further read.

(The Sun)