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Amnesty International Calls For Release Of Activists Emmanuel And Udoka Allegedly Detained In Kogi
By Joseph Ayinde
Amnesty International has called for the release of two human rights activists – Larry Emmanuel and Victor Anene Udoka.
In a statement sighted by TheNigeriaLawyer, the Human Rights group said the two activists were unlawfully detained for protesting against corruption and poor human rights situation in Nigeria which were perceived to be critical of President Buhari.
“Activists, Larry Emmanuel and Victor Anene Udoka have been unlawfully detained since 5 April. They were physically assaulted and tortured by unidentified men on 5 April while peacefully protesting against corruption, and the poor human rights situation in Nigeria, and distributing posters that were perceived to be critical of the President.
“A few days later, they were turned over to the police and were subsequently transferred to the Nigeria Correctional Centre, located in Kogi State, in north-central Nigeria, where they are currently being held.
“The two activists are being detained solely for peacefully exercising their right to protest and expressing their views. They must be immediately and unconditionally released.” the statement reads
The Organization also dropped a sample which people can use in writing the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, seeking the release of the two activists.
The letter reads,
“Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello c/of Ministry of Information & Communications, Room 311, New State Secretariat Lokoja Kogi State, Nigeria Email: info@kogistate.gov.ng
“Dear Governor Yahaya Bello,
“I am writing to express concerns about the arbitrary detention of activists Larry Emmanuel (26) and Victor Anene Udoka (33), at Nigeria Correctional Centre, in Kabba, Kogi State, Nigeria.
“On 5 April, the two activists were beaten and tortured by unidentified men solely for protesting, holding placards and distributing posters said to be anti-President Muhammadu Buhari in Lokoja, the capital city of Kogi State, north-central Nigeria. The incident was documented in a video which went viral on Twitter. Following the incident, the activists went missing. On 8 April, they were secretly arraigned at a Magistrate Court and subsequently transferred to the Nigeria Correctional Centre, where they are currently being arbitrarily detained. It is unclear what their charges were as judicial staff in Nigeria are on strike and information about their charges was not made public.
“I have serious concerns about the arrest, torture and detention of Larry Emmanuel and Victor Anene Udoka solely for peacefully exercising their right to protest. The right to freedom of expression is a human right and no one should ever be arrested, physically assaulted or tortured for expressing dissenting opinions.
“I, therefore, request that Your Excellency:
°Immediately and unconditionally release Larry Emmanuel and Victors Anene Udoka;and
°Pending their release, ensure that they are not subjected to torture and other ill-treatment and have regular and unfettered access to their family and a lawyer of their choice.
