ADVERT RATE

We denounce the arrest and continued detention of the Governorship candidate of Liberation Movement in the 2019 Bayelsa State Governorship Election Mr Vijah Opuama by men of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit at the premises of the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on the 15th day of August 2020.

Opuama had filed an election petition matter against Governor Douye Diri and his Deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. He was arrested while the Tribunal was delivering judgment in his matter.

At a time when we consider our courts as the last hope for the common man, it is worrisome that Mr Opuama was arrested right within the court’s premises without any just cause and is yet to be brought before a court of competent jurisdiction to be tried for the offence in which he was allegedly arrested twenty-two (22) days after.

According to the Police at the time of his arrest, Opuama was arrested following a petition alleging the cloning of voice authored by one Benson Agadaga, the Chief of Staff to the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.

The Tribunal has nullified the election of 16th November 2019 and declared a fresh election in Bayelsa State.

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As one of the law firms which represents Opuama at the Tribunal, it is concerning how his arrest and continuous detention could trigger political unrest in Bayelsa State and affect the polity in view of the forthcoming fresh election declared by the Tribunal and the by-election to be conducted by Independent National Electoral Commission as well as water down the efforts of reconciliation and political tolerance the administration of Douye Diri continues to preach in Bayelsa State.

Mr Opuama was taken from Maitaima Police Station under the pretext of taking him to meet with the IGP which is the last to be heard of him since yesterday, 4th September 2020. Mr Opuama was not returned to the station either his whereabouts known till this moment.

We are aware that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the IGP to produce Mr Opuama in Court unfailingly on Monday, 7th September 2020.

We call on the Inspector General of Police to immediately look into the activities of the men of the IGP Monitoring Unit which is directly under his control and command and direct that Mr Opuama is charged to court or released unconditionally.

As we try to encourage young people’s participation in politics through the signing of the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill into Law, it is through bold leaders like Vijah Opuama that young people can actually believe that politics is not a dangerous path to tread.

We stand in solidarity with progressive youths, activists and opinion leaders to demand the unconditional release of Mr Opuama.

The unceasing crackdown and persecution of perceived political opponents only further legitimize the growing culture of impunity in our institutions and fans the embers of political intolerance.

FOR: E. A. Aluzu & Associates
Ebikebuna Augustine Aluzu
Lead Associate.

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