Reports
Untried Pro-Biafra Detainees Must Not Die In Govt Captivity —Intersociety
International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law [Intersociety] is calling on Nigeria’s central Government of Retired Major Gen Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that 87 pro Biafra detainees held untried in various prisons and detention facilities in Southeast and South-south Nigeria including those of its secret police do not die in Government’s captivity.
The central Government in Nigeria must also comply fully with detained citizens’ fundamental rights to fair hearing, fair and speedy trial; unhindered access to their families including wives and children; access to family or personal doctors and lawyers; adequate medical care and sanitary conditions and ventilation as well as decent feeding, clothing and shelter while in captivity.
These are not only provided and entrenched in Sections 36 and 17 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution but also contained in the African Charter on Human & Peoples Rights of 1981; signed, ratified and domesticated by Nigeria in 1983 as well as the UN Covenant on Civil & Political Rights signed and ratified by Nigeria in 1993. Nigeria is also a State Party to various UN and AU Principles and Protocols on the rights and conditions of Prisoners and Awaiting Trial Detainees.
Background: It is recalled that Nigeria particularly its Southeast and South-south parts was greeted with nonviolent protests and agitations over what the citizens of Southeast and South-south saw as national policy of structural, physical and cultural violence targeted at the citizens of the two zones resulting in indiscriminate arrest and killing of citizens of the two areas using racial profiling and ethnic hatred.
The two zones particularly the Southeast further experienced political exclusion and denial of sensitive political appointments at federal levels. Through mob violence and ethno-religious radicalism, thousands of citizens of the Southeast and parts of South-south were hacked to death in Northern Nigeria with perpetrators going scot free and successive and subsisting central Governments doing nothing.
Sum total of grievances arising from the above resulted in several street protests and agitations strictly through nonviolence or total absence of armed rebellion. The civil protests and agitations thickened between August 2015 and September 2017; leading to the central Government through its security forces opening fire and launching a violent crackdown resulting in the death of not less than 400 unarmed and defenseless citizens and injuring of over 300 others.
Hundreds were also arrested and detained for months or years without trial. Most of the arrested and detained were tortured and dumped in various prison and policing custodies and abandoned at pre-trial stages till date using prosecutorial vindictiveness (see the Black’s Law Advanced Dictionary: 9th Edition 2009).
US Civil Suit & Its Proprietary: The killings and maiming perpetrated by the present central Government in Nigeria elicited local, regional and international concerns; partly resulting in some concerned Igbo-Nigerians in USA (not IPOB) approaching and briefing the law firm of Fein & Delvalle PLLC in Washington DC, USA for a civil suit against 16 (Sixteen) identified perpetrators in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. The law firm is headed by Mr. Bruce Fein, an internationally respected former Assistant Attorney General of USA. In the course of this, 10 (Ten) families/claimants of the slain agreed to sue the referenced perpetrators in their individual capacity as legal citizens of Nigeria under the UN System permissible under the US legal system.
This was followed by filling of a civil suit against the 16 (Sixteen) perpetrators before the US District Court in the District of Columbia; referenced as: Doe, el al. v. Buratai, Case No: 17-cv-1033 (June 2017) as well as visit of the principal partners of the Fein & Delvalle PLLC to Enugu Nigeria in August 2017 and subsequent meetings with the claimants, other witnesses and stakeholders.
Panicky Response Of Key Perpetrators: In a panicky response to the said suit, the perpetrators and their agents; most of who are serving public office holders in Nigeria sponsored protests and picketing especially at the US Embassy in Nigeria. This was followed by the Federal Government ordered military crackdown launched in the Southeast in September 2017 leading to death of not less than 100 unarmed and defenseless citizens.
The leadership of IPOB said that it lost “305 members and supporters” in the 12th and 14th September 2017 military crackdown particularly in Aba, Afara-ukwu Ibeku and Isiala-Ngwa all in Abia State. The Federal Government hurriedly issued a criminal retroactive proclamation on 17th September 2017, declaring “IPOB a terrorist organization”; in a clear bid to truncate and pervert local and int’l justice and shield its key perpetrators.
Deteriorating Health Conditions Of Detained Pro Biafra Activists: Therefore, our issuance of this statement is not only to put the records straight and refresh the minds of all Nigerians and members of the int’l community; but to particularly alert all and sundry over the deteriorating health conditions of scores of the named detainees. There are at least 87 pro Biafra detainees presently languishing in various prisons and other detention facilities across the Southeast and South-south Nigeria. Many of these detainees have been detained since 2015 and abandoned at pre-trial stages till date using prosecutorial vindictiveness.
Among the 85 pro Biafra detainees are 15 detainees at Port Harcourt Maximum Prisons, 20 at Ahoada Prisons and 10 at Degema Prisons all in Rivers State. Others are one detainee with a severe eye injury at Amawbia Prisons in Anambra State; 33 detainees including minors and one Ms Ada Nnude (a female detainee) at Aba Prisons in Aba State and 4 detainees at Enugu Prisons.
Pro Biafra star detainees are Benjamin Madubugwu (detained without formal trial since July 2015; accused of conspiracy to commit treasonable felony and unlawful possession of un-prohibited firearms or pump action (gaming) guns); Dave Nwawuisi (held since October 2015 over allegation of illegal importation of goods and conspiracy to commit treasonable felony); Chidiebere Onwudiwe (held since June 2016 over allegation of conspiracy to commit treasonable felony) and Bright Chimezie (held since September 2016 over allegation of conspiracy to commit treasonable felony).
It is also important to inform that the maximum prescribed punishment, on court conviction, for each of the above named criminal accusation is not above 5 (Five) prison term; yet some of the detainees have already been held in captivity for almost three years without formal trial or abandoned at pre-trial stages till date.
Specifically, in the case of Citizen Bright Chimezie, despite the grand judgment of the Uyo Division of the Federal High Court in Suit No FHC/PH/CS/61/2017, delivered on 24th May 2017 by Hon Justice Ijeoma L. Ojukwu; declaring his detention by SSS illegal, ordering for his immediate release and awarding a cost of N5M against his captors (SSS); he has remained in the hands of SSS without arraignment or trial till date.
The SSS in a panicky response to the judgment merely filed an amended charge in the pending but stalled criminal trial of Onwudiwe, Nwawuisi, Madubugwu and ors to include his name but refused to arraign him and allow him to take plea till date. This is a clear case of application of Decree 2 of 1984 by other means and impeachable violation of Section 35 Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.
Deteriorating Health Of Detained Citizen Ben Madubugwu: Among the pro Biafra detainees with deteriorating health conditions is Citizen Benjamin Madubugwu. Owing to seriousness of his ill-health, he may most likely die in captivity unless his captors act fast to save his life. Citizen Madubugwu was medically diagnosed and found to be at high risk of threat of death.
According to Dr. Ikechukwu P. Amadi, consultant general/surgeon of Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja, who conducted the test on ailing Citizen Madubugwu on 15th November 2017, “Citizen Benjamin Madubugwu (43) is known hypertensive/asthmatic who presented to the Health Facility in the Prison (Kuje) with a three month history of recurrent painless rectal bleeding not associated with anal protrusion and has equally been having recurrent acute asthmatic attacks”. “He would need to be evaluated outside the Prison with colonoscopy barium enema to ascertain the etiology of the bleeding and subsequently have a definitive treatment”.
Sadly, since 15th November 2017 when the expert medical test was conducted and advice given, the authorities of the Federal Kuje Prisons, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Judge handling the case, Hon Justice Binta-Murtala Nyako have refused to allow the life and health of Citizen Madubugwu to be saved and improved.
Updates from the Prison clearly indicate that Citizen Benjamin Madubugwu is on danger list and at the high risk of losing his life. The central Government in Nigeria must not allow Citizen Benjamin Madubugwu and others suffering similar fate to die in captivity. He should be admitted on bail or taken to a better hospital outside the Kuje Prison for proper treatment as expertly recommended.
Reports from other prisons where pro Biafra activists are being held and abandoned at pre-trial stages also indicate that the health of scores of them is at risk with their constitutional rights and entitlements as detained or untried inmates substantially denied.
The detaining and trial authorities must as a matter of uttermost immediacy and urgency verify the health and detention conditions of all detained pro Biafra activists so as to ensure steady improvement of their health and detention conditions. As a matter of fact, they should be freed, discharged and acquitted by the Attorney General of the Federation and other detaining and trial authorities responsible for their present incarceration.
Signed:
Emeka Umeagbalasi, Board Chair
Mobile Line: +2348174090052
Email: botchairman@intersociety-ng.org
URL: www.intersociety-ng.org
Barr Obianuju Joy Igboeli
Head, Civil Liberties & Rule of Law Program
Email: igboeliobianuju@gmail.com
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(DDM) – A dramatic scene unfolded in Aku community, Imo State, as a family burial turned chaotic over allegations of financial settlement demands by the deceased’s first son.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the first son, identified as Uzoma Nwawere, reportedly blocked the burial of his late mother, insisting that his married sisters and their husbands must “settle” him before interment could proceed.
The incident occurred at the family compound where a large crowd gathered for the ceremony, only for the event to descend into confusion.
Eyewitnesses said Uzoma argued that his late mother and sisters had allegedly disrespected him while she was alive, depriving him of the recognition traditionally accorded to a first son.
A retired police officer at the scene narrated in Igbo that the deceased’s husband, Godwin Nwawere, had passed away earlier, leaving behind Uzoma as the first son and several daughters now married into different families.
The officer alleged that Uzoma had lived in the family compound for years, claiming he was left to fend for himself “on credit” while his sisters enjoyed better treatment.
He accused the daughters of conspiring with their late mother to undermine Uzoma’s status as heir to the family property, a situation that allegedly fueled tensions even before her death.
Reports indicated that Uzoma insisted the burial could not hold in the family compound, which he now claims as inheritance, unless his in-laws complied with his demands for settlement.
A viral video from the scene showed mourners and family members exchanging heated words near a freshly dug grave as light rain drizzled over the area.
In the footage, relatives and sympathizers were seen pleading with Uzoma to allow the burial to proceed, but he reportedly stood his ground.
The argument quickly attracted onlookers, causing embarrassment for the family and disrupting what was expected to be a solemn ceremony.
Cultural analysts say disputes over inheritance and burial rites are common in parts of Igbo land, particularly when tensions exist between sons and married daughters.
They note that first sons traditionally hold significant authority in family affairs, including burial decisions, but such authority can spark conflicts when perceived to be misused.
Social media reactions to the incident have been mixed, with some condemning Uzoma’s action as insensitive, while others argue that cultural norms were ignored by the deceased’s daughters.
As of press time, it was unclear whether the burial was eventually completed or postponed, as efforts to reach the family for clarification were unsuccessful.
(DDM) – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of thirty-six suspected internet fraudsters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the operation was carried out by operatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency.
The sting operation reportedly took place on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at various locations within Port Harcourt.
According to EFCC officials, the arrests followed credible intelligence linking the suspects to widespread internet-related fraud.
Authorities disclosed that the crackdown was part of ongoing efforts to curb cybercrime in Nigeria’s southern region.
Recovered items from the suspects included exotic vehicles, a Q-link motorcycle, and several high-end mobile phones.
Laptop computers reportedly containing incriminating documents were also seized during the coordinated raid.
EFCC stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the scale of the fraudulent activities uncovered.
The suspects are expected to face charges in court as soon as preliminary investigations are concluded.
The anti-graft commission maintained that no one would be spared in its fight against cybercrime and financial malfeasance.
Background of EFCC’s operations
The EFCC has intensified its clampdown on internet fraud across Nigeria in recent years.
In 2024, the agency recorded multiple arrests in Lagos, Abuja, and Benin City as part of its cybercrime crackdown.
Cybercrime, popularly called “Yahoo Yahoo” in Nigeria, has continued to tarnish the nation’s international image.
According to law enforcement data, billions of naira are lost annually to internet scams originating from Nigeria.
Experts link the rise of internet fraud to unemployment, economic hardship, and greed among youths.
EFCC has repeatedly urged young Nigerians to explore legitimate sources of income rather than resort to fraudulent schemes.
Port Harcourt under spotlight
Port Harcourt, a major commercial hub in the Niger Delta, has seen a surge in cybercrime activities in recent years.
Authorities believe the city’s thriving nightlife and influx of oil wealth make it a hotspot for fraud syndicates.
Previous raids in 2023 and 2024 led to the arrest of over 150 suspects, with many facing prosecution.
The EFCC warned that more sting operations would follow as part of its ongoing anti-fraud campaign.
Conclusion
The latest arrests signal a renewed drive by the EFCC to dismantle cybercrime networks across Nigeria.
The agency has promised to release further updates as investigations progress and suspects face legal proceedings.
News
Anambra Govt Arrests, Beats Up 18 Journalists Monitoring Senatorial Bye-Election
By Chuks Collins, Awka
The Anambra State Government has reportedly arrested eighteen journalists, who were touring electoral Wards and communities of the 7 Councils that made up the Anambra South senatorial zone where the bye-elections were held on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
Our correspondent reported that the journalists were arrested and detained at gunpoint by the operatives of the Anambra State Vigilante Service, generally known as Udo-Gachi.
The journalists had gone to Nnewi, in Nnewi North, as well as Ukpor, Osumenyi, Ezinifite, Amichi and other communities in Nnewi South LGA of the State to monitor proceedings in the bye-elections.
The journalists, it was learnt, were rushing after the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship flag bearer, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, for his remarks on the day’s process after covering the day’s proceedings.
At a spot, described as Eke Orsumenyi, they were jolted when their vehicle was forcefully stopped.
They were, thereafter, detained for more than three hours, allegedly on the orders of the State ‘s Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Gilbert Ibezim, according to the security operatives.
“Journalists are the problem of Nigeria, they write whatever they like and deceive the people.
“We will deal with you people today,” an overzealous Udogachi operative threatened the journalists.
Some of the journalists and their cameramen were arrested and detained by the vigilante goons.
The journalists include correspondents of The Guardian, Daily Independent, Authority Newspaper, Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) Arise TV, TVC, National Vision and National Daily newspapers.
The leader of the over one hundred vigilante operatives who kept surging in with about 20 vehicles said that the arrest was on the instruction of the Anambra State Deputy Governor.
As the altercations continued, the Deputy Governor, in company of Nnewi South LGA Mayor, arrived the scene and ordered a thorough search of the media practitioners.
Information of the development later got to the APC gubernatorial candidate in the November 8 Anambra State governorship election.
Prince Ukachukwu quickly arrived the scene and ensured that the detained journalists were released, insisting that they we’re merely doing their normal civic duties.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the collation of the bye-election in the seven local government areas that constitute the Anambra South senatorial zone.
(DDM) – Popular Nollywood actor Segun Remi, widely known by his stage name Chief Kanran, has passed away at the age of 72.
The news of his death was confirmed by celebrity journalist Seun Oloketuyi in an Instagram post on Friday morning, though details surrounding the cause of his passing have yet to be disclosed.
Chief Kanran was a celebrated figure in the Yoruba film industry, known for his distinctive style, sharp humor, and commanding presence that endeared him to audiences over several decades.
He was recognized for his memorable performances in numerous stage plays and films, often portraying authoritative and affluent characters, and was considered a household name in Nigerian cinema.
Segun Remi began his career in the arts in the mid-1970s and gained popularity with notable roles in Ola Rotimi’s play “Kurunmi,” and the Lagos Television drama “Aláàfin Kanran” in 1988.
His extensive filmography includes several acclaimed Yoruba films such as “Vigilante,” “Ose-Sango,” “Eri Okan,” “Itunnu,” and “Orire,” among others.
Despite his success, Chief Kanran faced significant personal challenges, including devastating fire incidents that destroyed his home, studio, and equipment, which left him struggling and at one point homeless.
His contributions to Nollywood have been widely celebrated, with colleagues and fans mourning the loss of a veteran actor who left an indelible mark on the Nigerian entertainment industry.
This news comes as the Nollywood community recently mourned other actors, adding to the list of notable film personalities who have passed away this year.
Chief Kanran’s legacy as a pioneer and beloved actor will continue to be remembered by fans and the wider film fraternity.
In a major crackdown on cybercrime, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the convictions of three internet fraudsters following a sweeping operation at a hotel located within the precincts of the former President Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex in Abeokuta.
The operation, which initially saw 93 suspects apprehended, has shone a spotlight on the rising tide of cybercriminal activities in high-profile Nigerian locations, underscoring the agency’s commitment to combating financial crimes in the country’s digital age.
The suspects, Isaac Akinwale, Ibrahim Azeez Olatunji, and Habeeb Oladipupo Oshundairo, pleaded guilty to an array of charges linked to false pretence, identity theft, and illicit acquisition of funds, contravening provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and the EFCC Act, 2004.
Presiding over the proceedings as a vacation judge, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu handed down measured sentences designed both as punishment and deterrence, reflecting the seriousness with which the judiciary views such offences.
EFCC operative Umar Shuaibu revealed that Isaac Akinwale operated a celebrity scam on WhatsApp under female pseudonyms, defrauding a victim of $500.
The court accepted multiple exhibits tendered by prosecution counsel Franklin Ofoma, including a 2007 Toyota Camry, a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, and a N400,000 bank draft, as proceeds and instruments of crime.
Justice Dipeolu sentenced Akinwale to three months imprisonment or an alternative fine of N1million.
Olatunji, convicted for running a romance scam, was sentenced to one month imprisonment or a N500,000 fine.
Oshundairo, who posed as an expert in service certificates and tax preparation through a fraudulent Gmail account, was ordered to perform 30 days community service.
His punishment is publicly symbolic: he must carry a banner with the cautionary message, “Cybercrime Does Not Pay. Stay Away from Cybercrime”.
In a notable twist, fourth defendant Onunoye Fawas Olamilekan entered a not guilty plea to charges of impersonating a nurse on Facebook and controlling $50 acquired via fraudulent transactions.
His counsel disputed the validity of the charges under the Cybercrimes Act, prompting the court to remand him at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending further trial in October 2025.
The EFCC had flagged a total of 23 suspects for arraignment, but only four were accommodated by the court during its session, indicating broadening investigations and prosecutions may follow.
This operation marks one of the EFCC’s largest anti-fraud sweeps from a single Nigerian location in recent memory.
The prominence of the Obasanjo Presidential Library as the scene of the arrests dramatically heightened public awareness, raising questions about the security and due diligence in hospitality establishments across the country.
Nigerian authorities continue to escalate efforts against cybercriminals, aiming to assert the rule of law over digital spaces.
The EFCC, empowered by the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act and other statutes, urges citizens to remain vigilant online and to report suspicious activities.
With growing internet adoption in Nigeria, law enforcement faces an evolving battle against increasingly sophisticated scams, making deterrent convictions like these a critical step in restoring confidence in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
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