By Samuel Ogude
Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has called for the re-arrest and prosecution of Mr Godwin Emonerame over his alleged threat to life and illegal possession of firearms. This call was made in a press statement signed by its National President, Comrade (Dr.) Amb. Kehinde Prince Taiga made available to Journalists in Warri. According to Comrade Taiga, CDHR frowned at the way justice is served on the issue that bothers on alleged criminal petition which was written by Mr S.G.Ediagbonuvie and Co-dated on 30th April, 2025 which was addressed to Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department.
The statement said, despite the fact that petition was duly minuted to the Special Tactical Squad (STS) for discreet investigations which led to the suspect’s arrest and alleged recovery of fire arms in his possession, to the surprise of both victims’ family, human rights advocates, and members of the public, the suspect was released without delay from Police custody without alleged meaningful investigations, which, according to the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) statement, is justice denial.
Comr. Taiga added,”the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Nigeria, under the leadership of Comr. (Dr.)Taiga, wishes to express its deep concern over alleged apparent compromise and miscarriage of justice surrounding the criminal petition written by Mr. S. G. Ediagbonuvie $ Codated 30th April, 2025, addressed to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), bordering on threat to life and alleged possession of illegal firearms by Mr. Godwin Emonerame”.
Comr. Taiga noted that with such development, it has become obvious that there is alleged compromise and obstruction of justice which the body sees as gross abuse of police’ powers and betrayal of public trust. Comr. Taiga is of the view that it is inappropriate for the Nigeria Police to be allegedly allow itself to be used by corrupt politicians with financial inducement by acting the contrary as it is trusted for the prevention of crime and enforcement of law in the society.
The National President of CDHR, Nigeria spoke further, “the Nigeria Police Force must not allow its sacred duty of crime prevention and law enforcement to be influenced or corrupted by political interference or financial inducement”. According to him, with the relevant sections of the Nigeria constitution which include Section 3 and 27(1) (a) of Fire Arms,Cap F28, Section 86 of the Criminal Code Act (Cap C38, LFN 2004), it is a grievous offence to possess arms without due license and attempt to commit murder.
While CDHR called for the immediate re-arrest and prosecution of Mr. Godwin Emonerame in accordance with the Firearms Act and relevant provisions of the Criminal Code and carry out comprehensive, transparent, and independent investigation into the circumstances that led to his suspicious release from custody, Comr. Taiga called on the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Inspector General, FCID, and the Director of the Special Tactical Squad to act decisively in the interest of justice and in defence of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
He also called on IGP to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force is not politicized as no individual, no matter how politically connected should not be seen as being above the law of the land. The statement added, “justice must not be selective in Nigeria as the rule of law must prevail over political influence. We are using this opportunity to call on Political office holders and influential persons in the society to refrain from obstructing or interfering with ongoing criminal investigations or judicial processes. “We shall monitor this case closely and would not hesitate to mobilize lawful public actions should justice is subverted.”