Juliana Francis
A Coalition of 49 Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria has urged the acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to uphold the rule of law by releasing Theodore Chinonso Uba, aka Nonso Nkwa, who has been in detention for 15 days and still counting.
The group made the demand in a petition addressed to Egbetokun over the protracted detention of Nonso Nkwa.
The group stated: “We are seriously concerned that 15 days after Mr. Theodore Chinonso Uba-Nonsonkwa- was abducted in Owerri, Imo State, in a commando fashion on 27 July 2023 by gunmen who turned out to be police officers, he has remained in detention since then, without bail or charge.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended stipulates that anyone arrested for any offense shall not be detained beyond 24 hours or at the most 48 hours, depending on the proximity to the court.
“It is even more embarrassing that Nonso Nkwa’s arrest and continued unlawful detention by the Nigeria Police is said to be at the behest and pleasure of the governor of Imo State, Mr. Hope Uzodinma who is alleged to have accused Nonso Nkwa of defamation.”
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The coalition further stated that the continued detention of Nonso Nkwa beyond the legally permissible duration without being charged to court was unconstitutional, reckless and irresponsible.
It added that such detention was a gross violation of his fundamental rights to liberty, freedom of movement, human dignity and fair hearing.
“It violates the principles of due process and the rule of law,” said the group.
According to the group: “The action of the Police is reckless and discreditable and portrays the police as an institution that is willing to lend itself as a tool of oppression and for settling personal or political scores.
“We call on the Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to redeem the Nigeria police from this disgraceful depth it has sunk into.
“He should order the immediate release of Nonso Nkwa, order an impartial investigation into the act of illegality and subversion of the Constitution and the rule of law and bring all those responsible to account.
“He should make a public pronouncement that the Nigeria Police will no longer be lent to, or used by, any politician as a tool of oppression and repression or for settling scores.”
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