High Court Orders Release Of Five Detained Okuama Community Leaders, Threatens Contempt Proceedings Against Govt
High Court Orders Release Of Five Detained Okuama Community Leaders, Threatens Contempt Proceedings Against Govt
The order followed an ex parte motion dated April 30, 2026, and filed on May 4, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/42/2024, instituted under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009.
The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has ordered the immediate release of five detained leaders and members of Okuama Community in Ewu Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The court, presided over by Justice H. A. Nganjiwa, issued the order on June 10, 2026, directing the Federal Government of Nigeria and other respondents to immediately release the affected applicants from detention.Nigerian news analysis
The order followed an ex parte motion dated April 30, 2026, and filed on May 4, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/42/2024, instituted under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009.
The applicants in the suit are Professor Arthur Ekpekpo, Mr. James Oghoroko, Mr. Bernard Esegba, Hon. Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mr. Dennis Okugbaye and Ms. Mabel Owhemu.
The court records show that the fourth and sixth applicants, Adogbo and Owhemu, were joined in the suit through an order made on November 13, 2025.
The applicants instituted the action for themselves and on behalf of the people of Okuama Community in Ewu Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The respondents listed in the suit are the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Armed Forces of the Federation, the Honourable Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
In its ruling, the court specifically ordered the respondents to release the first, second, fourth, fifth and sixth applicants from detention forthwith.
The order, therefore, covers Professor Arthur Ekpekpo, Mr. James Oghoroko, Hon. Chief Belvis Adogbo, Mr. Dennis Okugbaye and Ms. Mabel Owhemu.
Mr. Bernard Esegba, the third applicant, was not included among those specifically listed for release in the operative part of the court order.
The order was made after the court considered the affidavit in support of the application, deposed to by Esegba, described in the court document as a Nigerian civil servant and community leader of Okuama Community.
The court also considered the written address filed by the applicants’ counsel.
During proceedings, Dr. Jonathan Ekperusi, alongside Andrew Ubido, appeared for the applicants and moved the court in terms of their motion.
Magdalene Irorere, holding the brief of Ikhide Ehighelua, appeared for the third to fifth respondents and did not oppose the application, according to the court record.
After considering the submissions of counsel, Justice Nganjiwa granted the application and directed the respondents to release the five applicants from detention immediately.
The court further ordered that its directive be served on all the respondents and complied with immediately.
It subsequently adjourned the matter to July 13, 2026, for hearing and a report on compliance with the release order.
In a separate Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Order of Court accompanying the court documents, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice was warned that failure to obey the release order would amount to contempt of court.
The notice specifically states that unless the injunction directing the immediate release of the affected applicants is obeyed, the Attorney-General risks being held in contempt and liable to committal to prison.
The notice underscores the legal consequences of disobeying the court’s directive and places the Federal Government’s chief law officer on notice of the need to ensure compliance.
Credit X Sahara reporter
