Obagie N’Evbousa Crisis: Community Leaders Seek Protection From Police Harassment, Arrest
By Our REPORTER
Richard Uyiekpen Igiebor, the Oga Evbo/Okaighele of Obagie N’ Evbousa Community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, and eight others have filed a restraining order at the High Court of Justice, Benin Judicial Division, Benin City, Edo State with
suit No B/276/2024 against the Inspector General of Police and 14 others.
The Other 8-claimant are Osakpamwan Idemudia, Osamudiamen Iyekekpolor, Eghosa Oghadimwangbe, Osaretin Osunde, Festus Fenudu, Nosahkare Idemudia, Emmanuel Aigbedo and Kelly Edokpolor.
They accuse the Special Weapon and Tactics, (SWAT), as well as the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligent Department, (FCIID), Abuja of invading their various houses and business places.
The conflict began when Festus Edegbe, the former Oga Evbo/Okaighele, and his executives were removed from their positions by community leaders.
They were accused of selling community lands and grabbing others’ properties, tarnishing the community’s image.
Since then, Edegbe and his associates have allegedly filed false petitions against Uyi Igiebor and other community leaders, leading to repeated harassment and arrests.
The applicants, represented by Counsel Hope Iyare, have filed suit No B/276/2024 at the High Court of Justice, Benin Judicial Division, Edo State.
They seek enforcement of their fundamental human rights, as enshrined in the 1999 constitution and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
The applicants, through their Counsel pray the court to, Enforce their right to freedom and liberty, Declare the invasion of their homes and businesses a violation of their fundamental rights, Restrain the respondents from further arrests and harassment, and Award N100 million in compensation.
The 14 respondents include: Inspector General of Police, Deputy Inspector General of Police, FCIID, AIG Zone 5, Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, SWAT Abuja, Officer Joshua Chinedu of SWAT, Doris Ogala, Festus Edegbe, Osato Idahor, Emmanuel Aigbogun
Odion Igbinadolor, Sunny Omoregie and Osaretin Imariagbe.
Hope Iyare argued that his clients have been unjustly treated like common criminals, suffering mental torture and intimidation.
He urged the court to halt the respondents’ actions, emphasizing that the court is the only hope for the oppressed.
This is not the first time the Respondents have been accused of causing tension in the community, where deaths have been recorded, cars and homes burnt during each escalation between warring factions.
Bearing in mind the role of Police Operatives as enforcers of peace and stability in the society, one begins to wonder about their involvement that has left unsuspecting members of the public lamenting the intentions of the police in communual clashes.
