Group demands immediate, unconditional release of journalist in Delta

THE Centre for the Vulnerable and the Underprivileged (Centre) has called on the State Security Service (SSS) to immediately and unconditionally set free detained journalist Mr Daniel Ekiugbo in Delta.

National Coordinator of the group, Oghenejabor Ikimi, made the call in a statement made available to Tribune Online on Monday in Warri.

Mr Ekiugbo, a media practitioner and publisher of a local tabloid in Delta State, has been detained for over two months without any formal charge preferred against him.

Speaking on the illegality of the detention, Ikimi said: “We are not oblivious of the fact that Citizen Daniel Ekiugbo who is being held incommunicado in one of the detention centres of the State Security Service has been deprived access to members of his immediate family and Lawyers vice versa.

It is therefore in line with the provisions of Sections 35(1), 36(5) and 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) that we call for the urgent release of Citizen Daniel Ekiugbo from the custody of the State Security Service as the victim has a fundamental right to personal liberty, fair hearing and family life as he is presumed innocent until proved guilty in a Law Court.

We make bold to say that should Citizen Daniel Ekiugbo be found culpable, we challenge the Sate Security Service to immediately charge him to Court as his continuous detention is unlawful, wrongful and a violation of his fundamental rights to personal liberty, family life and fair hearing.

It is in the light of the above that we demand the immediate and unconditional release of Citizen Daniel Ekiugbo or in the alternative, be charged to Court forthwith as justice delayed is justice denied.”

The Delta-based Human Rights lawyer added that “should the State Security Service refuse, fail or neglect to heed our above humble demand forthwith, we shall not hesitate to approach the High Court of Delta State for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of Citizen Daniel Ekiugbo and claim damages at large against the State Security Service to serve as a deterrent to other security agencies nationwide.”