By Jimoh Babatunde

Human rights lawyer, Frank Tietie, has called on military authorities to either charge or release individuals detained in connection with the 2024 Okuama–Okoloba crisis in Delta State, warning that prolonged detention without trial undermines the rule of law.
Tietie made the call , Wednesday, in Abuja while addressing journalists on the continued detention of Dr. Arthur Ekpekpo, a professor at Delta State University and President-General of the Okuama community, alongside Chief Belvis Adogbo, Dennis Amalaka, and Mabel Owhemu.
The detainees were reportedly arrested following a violent clash between the Okuama and Okoloba communities, during which several soldiers of the Nigerian Army were killed.
Describing the allegations as grave, Tietie nonetheless stressed that due process must be followed. “The law, being the very foundation of society, must take its course, or else injustice will prevail,” he said.
He expressed concern that the detainees have remained in custody for nearly two years without being formally charged in court, a situation he described as a violation of their constitutional rights to personal liberty and fair hearing.
According to him, one of the detainees, James Achovwuko Oghoroko, reportedly died in military custody, while another, Pa Dennis Okugbaye, was released on health grounds after falling ill.
Tietie also lamented the broader impact of the crisis, noting that while the killing of soldiers was tragic, the military’s reprisal, which reportedly led to the destruction of Okuama community, was equally unfortunate.
“If there is credible evidence linking any of these detainees to the killing of soldiers, the lawful course of action is clear, charge them to court and allow due process to take its course,” he said, adding that anything less amounts to arbitrariness.
He warned that the continued detention without trial erodes public trust in state institutions and weakens democratic governance.
The lawyer called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and other key stakeholders, including traditional leaders and Niger Delta figures such as Government Ekpemupolo, to intervene urgently.
Tietie added that while he has avoided framing the issue along ethnic lines, the fact that many detainees are of Urhobo origin has heightened concerns among his kinsmen.
He concluded by emphasizing that justice delayed in this case amounts not only to justice denied but justice subverted, urging authorities to either prosecute the suspects in open court or release them without further delay.