Court orders release of Okuama leaders detained by military for over 21 months

The federal high court in Warri, Delta state, has ordered the immediate release of Arthur Ekpekpo, a professor, and other leaders of Okuama community detained by the Nigerian military 

Hyeladzira Nganjiwa, the presiding judge, gave the order on Wednesday while ruling on the motion filed under Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules.

Nganjiwa directed that the respondents in the case should be immediately served the enrolled order.

The presiding judge adjourned the case to July 13, 2026, for the continuation of the hearing on the substantive matter.

In the previous court proceedings, Nganjiwa granted a motion for the detained persons to be produced in court, but the army did not produce the Okuama leaders.

The detained leaders are Ekpekpo, who is the president general of Ewu Kingdom, Belvis Adogbo, Dennis Malaka, and Mabel Owhemu.

The detained leaders have been in the custody of the army since August 2024.

Some months after the detention, James Oghoroko, the president-general of the Okuama community, and Dennis Okugbaye, the 81-year-old community’s treasurer, reportedly died in military custody.

Subsequently, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said it is investigating reports of the alleged deaths of two Okuama leaders in military custody.

Their arrest followed the killing of 17 soldiers — comprising a lieutenant colonel, two majors, one captain, and 12 soldiers — on March 14, 2024, during a peace mission aimed at resolving a dispute between Okuama and the neighbouring Okoloba community. (TheCable)