The wife of the former Commissioner for Foreign and International Affairs in Imo, Excel Ihekweme, has petitioned President Bola Tinubu over allegations bordering on unlawful arrest and detention of her husband, Fabian Ihekweme.
Henzodaily reports that Excel, in two letters dated December 13 and written on her behalf by a rights group, Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse & Torture, and signed by the group’s Executive Director, Comrade Gerald Katchy, also sought the intervention of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
In the petition titled “Complaint of Abuse of Power and Office by Security and Enforcement Agencies and Disregard to the Rule of Law: A Menace to the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency,” Excel alleged that her husband was forcefully arrested by the police on Nov. 27 in his Abuja residence without an arrest warrant and has since been in detention.
Excel said Fabian’s plight began after urging the governor of Imo, Hope Uzodinma, to prioritise the needs of the citizens of the state and to deliver on his campaign promises.
In two other letters she signed and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Excel equally sought their intervention over the alleged misconduct involving the Nigerian police.
Excel, therefore, sought intervention to ensure her husband’s immediate and unconditional release and uphold his rights to due process, legal representation, and medical care.
She also sought an independent investigation into the circumstances of his arrest, detention and the allegations against him.
She further called for an intervention to protect citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and ensure that no one is persecuted for holding leaders accountable or advocating for good governance.
She said, “I am seeking your urgent intervention in this grave matter involving gross violation of fundamental right of a citizen of Nigeria (Dr Fabian Ihekweme), my husband, and an action of the police against the rule of law, the Nigerian constitution and the justice systems within the Nigeria Police Force.
“Sir, on Nov. 27, unidentified armed men forcefully abducted Dr Ihekweme from his home without a warrant, due process, or access to his legal counsel.
“This ordeal has left his family, including his children, traumatised and mentally distressed. His arrest and detention without recourse to justice or medical attention are not only a violation of his constitutional rights but also a grave affront to the principles of democracy, freedom of expression, and good governance.
“His phone was confiscated, and he was denied necessary medical care. For over 24 hours, his family had no knowledge of his whereabouts until the police issued a statement confirming his detention.
“Currently, Dr Fabian Ihekweme is being held at the infamous Tiger Base police unit, subjected to inhumane treatment and unjustly accused of sponsoring the Eastern Security Network (ESN)—a baseless allegation aimed at discrediting his integrity and silencing his voice.”