*His arrest, denial to be charged to court, and torture to death is a return of draconian government – Akpotu
By Matthias Ogbagah
DELTA – The incarcerated and incommunicado President-General of the embattled Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, Pa James Achovwuko Oghoroko, was reportedly dead of alleged torture and inhumane treatment while in military custody.
The Rainbow Newspaper learned that the late Oghoroko was arrested alongside Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Chief Belvis Adogbo, Dennis Okugbaye, Pa Anthony Ahwemuria, and Mrs. Rita Akata between August 18 and 20, 2024.
The community leaders who were arrested and detained by the Nigerian Army in undisclosed locations were arrested as a result of 17 military officers killed in the Okuama vs. Okoloba communal clash.
Rainbow Newspaper gathered that since their arrest, they have been detained in undisclosed locations. The tragic news of the community head was filtered into the community by the leaders of the community during an emergency meeting of the community.
Community leaders also reported that Pa Dennis Okugbaye, another detainee, is currently in critical condition in the same undisclosed military facility. Pa James Achovwuko Oghoroko,
Earlier, in response to their arrests, the community, through its legal representatives, had filed suit in the Federal High Court with suit No. FHC/WR/CS/84/2024—James Oghoroko & Others vs. the Nigerian Army & Others—demanding ₦100 million in damages for their unlawful detention.
Subsequently, the community approached the Federal High Court in Warri, filing suit No. FHC/WR/CS/41/2024, No. FHC/WR/CS/42/2024, and No. FHC/WR/CS/43/2024, seeking legal redress.
These cases have since been consolidated. At its last session on November 20, 2024, the Federal High Court adjourned the bail application for the detained leaders to December 9, 2024. However, before the scheduled hearing, Pa James Oghoroko tragically passed away on December 4, 2024, still in custody and without being formally charged.
Reacting to the development, lead counsel Olorogun Albert Akpomudje (SAN) expressed deep concern, describing the news as “disturbing.” He stated that he would consult with the family and his legal team to determine the next steps.
The death of the Okuama community’s President-General has plunged the community into mourning and sparked outrage. Family members are grief-stricken, while community youths, visibly angered, were seen discussing the tragedy in somber tones.
Speaking on the development, Chief Cosmos Akpotu berated the Nigeria government and leadership of the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, and added that the arrest and torture to death in military detention is testamental that the Nigeria government is gradually driven from democracy to the black age of draconian age.
