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CIVIL RIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION (CRIDO)
We condemn the continued detention of 20
MASSOB Activists at the Criminal Investigation Department
(CID), Owerri, Imo State.
The said 20 MASSOB Activists are drawn from two sets of unlawful and illegal arrest.
Rev. Linus Iweanya, Mr. Amuche Stanley Iheruene, Mr. Matthew Uwanu, Mr. Amuche Okpara,
Patrick Asogwa and Mr. Nelson Akwada were arrested at the St.
Michael Spiritual Church of Christ, Okigwe, Imo State on August
8, 2002, while Chief. Vincent Ugochukwu and messrs
Philip Ikerionwu, Basil Iheme, Albert Ejiobi, Michael Adionye, Isaac Uja, Lambert Anyanwu, Godwin Njoku, Gabriel
Ukwe, Tobias Nkemjika, Barnabas Muonye, Alexander Okeke, Pascal Ejiogu and Chegharia Odunze
were arrested at Owerri on August
10, 2002.
On Tuesday August 13,2002, the said MASSOB Activists were transferred to the Wuse
Central Divisional Police Station, Abuja, and were detained there (Abuja) until Friday September 6, 2002. They were returned back to Owerri on
September 6, 2002, and further detained at the said
CID Owerri till date.
The unlawful arrest, continued detention and torture of these Activists contravene Section 34 (Right
to Human dignity), 35 (Right to Personal Liberty) and 36 (Right to fair hearing) and Articles 5, 6 and 7 of the
African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
We demand the immediate and unconditional release of the MASSOB Activists from unlawful detention or in the alternative;
they should be Charged before a Court of competent jurisdiction.
The Director of CRIDO, Uche
Okwukwu Esq. visited the said MASSOB Activists in detention on Monday September 23, 2002 at Owerri, and the same said Monday September 23, 2002,
Uche Okwukwu filed a petition on behalf of the 20 MASSOB Activists
and in the petition he demanded that the 20 Activists should be released from unlawful
detention or be Charged to Court
immediately.
Meanwhile the State Security Services (SSS) have commenced a manhunt for Uche Okwukwu, Legal Attorney for
the innocent 20 MASSOB Activists. The reasons must
not be unconnected with the recent meeting of the Ethnic Groups in the Southern parts of Nigeria on Monday
September 9, 2002, where Uche Okwukwu did not only play a prominent role but also read the communiqué
stating the position of the groups.
Below is the table of their Names, Ages, Occupation, Villages, Towns, and States.
S/N |
NAMES |
AGE |
OCCUPATION |
VILLAGE |
TOWN |
STATE |
1. |
Rev. Linus Iweanya |
40 Years |
Clergy |
Isuikwuato |
Isuikwuato |
Abia |
2. |
Mr. Isaac Ujah |
39 Years |
Driver |
Amafor |
Ohaji-Egbema |
Imo |
3. |
Mr. Michael Adionye |
40 Years |
Factory worker |
Isiekenesi |
Ideato-South |
Imo |
4. |
Mr. Godwin Njoku |
55 Years |
Contractor |
Owo Amakaohia |
Ikeduru |
Imo |
5. |
Mr. Barnabas Monye |
58 Years |
Watch night |
Ohii |
Owerri |
Imo |
6. |
Mr. Alexander Okeke |
33 Years |
Trader |
Nkerehi |
Orumba |
Anambra |
7. |
Mr. Pascal Ejiogu |
45 Years |
Machine Operator |
Uba |
Ifekala Mbaitoli |
Imo |
8. |
Mr. Cheghara Odunze |
57 Years |
Mason |
Obosima |
Ohaji |
Imo |
9. |
Mr. Stanley Iherueme |
35 Years |
Conductor |
Isuikwuato |
Isuikwuato |
Abia |
10. |
Mr. Amuche Okpara |
40 Years |
Trader |
Isiekenesi |
Ideato-South |
Imo |
11. |
Mr. Patrick Asogwa |
30 Years |
Conductor |
Nsukka |
Nsukka |
Enugu |
12. |
Mr. Philip Ikerionwu |
50 Years |
Businessman |
Ukpo |
Nnewi South |
Anambra |
13. |
Mr. Basil Iheme |
35 Years |
Motor Cyclist |
Eziama |
Orodo |
Imo |
14. |
Mr. Gabriel Ukwe |
65 Years |
Farmer |
Eziama |
Orodo |
Imo |
15. |
Mr. Lambert Anyanwu |
42 Years |
Trader |
Ogwa |
Ogwa |
Imo |
16. |
Chief. Vincent Ugochukwu |
49 Years |
Businessman |
Ihite |
Dunu |
Anambra |
17. |
Mr. Matthew Uwanu |
30 Years |
Student |
Isuikwuato |
Isuikwuato |
Abia |
18. |
Mr. Nelson Akwada |
35 Years |
Builder |
Umuahia |
Umuahia |
Abia |
19. |
Mr. Tobias Nkemjika |
70 Years |
Mason |
Ifeakala |
Mbaitoli |
Imo |
20. |
Mr. Albert Ejiobi |
45 Years |
Mason |
Umundugba |
Isu |
Imo |
SIGN:
NwaMazi. Obinna Okoro
Head, Democracy and Good Governance Bureau (CRIDO).
Rescue Suite
# 7, Igboukwu Street
(2nd Floor) D/Line
Port Harcourt
Tel: 084-572934