Use your office, ensure Oliver Ofejiro's release, right activist,Agberen to Oborevwori

A human right activist,Comrade(Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen on Wednesday in a statement said Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori should use his good office and ensure that Oliver Ofejiro, a strong critic of the State Government and top politicians is released from Police detention and reunited with his family. 

Agberen said,"His freedom must not be unduly restricted without sufficient legal justification, particularly when it contravenes due process or constitutes an abuse of power by an individual or authority. 

"For this reason, we have consistently advocated that the Nigeria Police conduct thorough investigations prior to effecting arrests to prevent over-detention, which violates certain human rights protections regardless of available court orders."

He stressed,"If Fejiro is not under investigation for crimínàl activities but civil matters,if anyone believes he has violated their fundamental rights, they should pursue legal action rather than utilizing the Nigeria Police Force as a means to detain him(Oliver Ofejiro) unlawfully. 

Agberen noted Ofejiro was arrested by security operatives in Abuja and flown to Asaba since Friday September 19. 

He said the arrest of Oliver Ofejiro was and taken away in a manner befitting a common criminal, purportedly by the Delta State Police Command who coordinated the arrest from Abuja.

He said, he(Ofejiro)has been in detention and nothing has been heard from him by his friends, family members and political associates.

"To date, families, friends, concerned citizens, and residents in Delta State have yet to receive meaningful information regarding Fejiro Oliver's arrest, while allegations suggest Fejiro Oliver is currently being detained at the Delta State Command in Asaba, with the Delta State Governor alleged to have orchestrated his arrest."

Agberen said,"Fejiro Oliver is not a criminal. He is a Nigerian citizen known to the relevant authorities and others, both within and outside Delta State."

According to Agberen, Ofejiro is an advocate for good governance in his own way exposing corruption in and outside the State Government, despite his political affiliation.

He stressed that,"Notably, Fejiro's arrest may have been prompted by allegations of cyber bullying, blackmail, and character assassination. A fundamental aspect of democracy is the freedom of speech.

"While we pretend to be a democratic nation, albeit with reservations, I have observed instances where individuals suspected of civil wrongdoing are denied information regarding the reasons for their arrest, access to family and friends, and subjected to secret torture and unlawful treatment, including incommunicado detention.

"Furthermore, the Nigeria Police Force should refrain from reverting to a military regime mindset, wherein criticizing the government or specific officials precipitates facilitated arrest. 

"The Nigeria Police Force must distinguish between criminal and civil cases and provide petitioners with guidance on navigating situations instead of allegedly colluding with oppressors to violate universally recognized fundamental human rights."