Human rights activist and author Comrade Paul Ikechukwu Njoku has called on the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, and members of the Abia State House of Assembly to investigate and hold Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu accountable for numerous allegations of brutality, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, torture, incarceration, and assaults on individuals opposing him in his home area of Ohafia Local Government Area.
The civil rights activist emphasised that the Deputy Governor’s past behaviours reflect a troubling character unworthy of his political office, underlining that true leadership is defined by exemplary conduct that upholds the dignity, lives, and property of the citizenry as enshrined in the constitution.
This call to action follows a report by a correspondent from Vision Africa Radio Station (104.1 FM) Umuahia on January 28, which examined recent claims of brutality, incarceration, and intimidation, supported by harrowing video and photographic evidence of victims who were violently assaulted, allegedly under the orders of the Abia State Deputy Governor.
A victim who spoke to the Vision Africa Radio correspondent stated, “I am Igwe Akumaku from Ndioma Compound, Okon Ohafia, the Vice President of the Okon Aku Development Union, and the PDP councillorship candidate in the recent elections.
“On November 2, unknown security personnel surrounded my home around 3 am, a scheme evidently orchestrated by the Deputy Governor. The case is currently under investigation at the Ohafia police station, where records indicate that the Deputy Governor expressed interest in my case, putting my life in jeopardy since then.
“I have not enjoyed my freedom as a citizen; I cannot sleep at home, and there have been multiple attempts on my life. One day, as I was leaving my house, I was attacked by individuals affiliated with the Deputy Governor, including a man named Bernard Inyama, whom the Deputy Governor appointed as Ezeogo through a constituted committee. These individuals blocked my path and pelted me with stones; I have documented this incident.
“They enacted a rule prohibiting visitors to my home and forbidding motorcycles from entering my compound under threat of attack. Subsequently, two of my siblings were assaulted with machetes, and that case is also under consideration by the Ohafia division. I have been living in fear.
“On January 26, 2025, as I returned home from a meeting, I was confronted by Benkamad’s men who blocked my entry and physically assaulted me. I was eventually rescued and taken to the hospital, where they accused me of insulting the Deputy Governor, the Autonomous Eze, and others, insisting I call someone to help me.
“Incident on the Day of Councillorship Election in Abia State
Early on November 2, 2024, at 3:00 am, armed men invaded my compound on the day of the councillorship election in Abia State. Thankfully, I was not home as I had received numerous threatening calls and messages leading up to the election.
“The intruders broke into my house and arrested two of my relatives, Uche Kalu and Obinna Kalu. We later discovered they had been tortured before being taken first to Ohafia Army Barracks and then transferred to Ohafia Police Station. Their alleged offence was purportedly insulting the Deputy Governor.
“The following morning, I rushed to the police station to seek information about their detention and asked to see their case files, but my request was denied. I was informed that the Deputy Governor had visited the station and threatened my relatives and anyone attempting to secure their release. It became clear that he was behind the armed invasion of my home.
“My relatives were held for over a week in both police and army custody without charges or proper documentation. They were eventually granted bail but not before enduring severe torture.
Continued Threats by the Deputy Governor
While my relatives remained in custody, the Deputy Governor intensified his intimidation tactics. The morning after their arrest, he visited my village with his security team, issuing further threats and warning of more arrests to come.
“I reported the incident to Vanguard, and their investigation confirmed that the Deputy Governor was responsible for the illegal arrests, torture, and invasion of my home. These actions were evidently politically motivated, as I was the PDP councillorship candidate with substantial support from the community.”
“Although I was declared the winner of the election by the electoral officer, my mandate was subsequently usurped and handed over to the Deputy Governor’s favoured candidate. This individual, who now claims the title of councillor, has been publicly attacking and defaming me.
Land Disputes and Targeting of Community Leaders
Before the election, the Deputy Governor sent a letter to community leaders, including the President of the Development Union and the Chiefs in Council, announcing that the state government had seized communal land belonging to various families. When the community sought clarification, he refused to provide any.
Instead, he began to target community leaders. In March 2024, the Development Union President and another member of the community were arrested on charges of vandalising a government oil processing mill. They were held at Ohafia Police Station for several days before being transferred to the State CID in Umuahia, where they were detained for two weeks. This case is still pending in court.
While the Development Union President was in custody, the Deputy Governor established a committee to install new community leaders. Among the appointees was Ndukwe Iko, who was subsequently made the Traditional Ruler through a process that was heavily rigged and influenced by the Deputy Governor.
Since Ndukwe Iko took on the role of Traditional Ruler, the community has faced ongoing unrest. There have been numerous instances of illegal arrests, false accusations, and deliberate persecution of those perceived as opponents. The traditions, processes, and culture of the community have been entirely disregarded.
Additionally, Ndukwe Iko has mobilised a group of youths, primarily from a specific compound (Ndi Owom), who now act as enforcers. These youths roam the community, harassing and assaulting residents, further destabilising the area.
He continued, “On January 26, 2025, at approximately 6:59 PM, as I was entering my compound (Ndi Uma), I was denied access by the same thugs and hoodlums from Ndi Owom, who then attacked me until I lost consciousness. During the assault, I overheard them accusing me of insulting the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Eze Ndukwe Iko, and Mr. Bernard Kama Iyama, vowing that there would be no mercy for me. With no one around to help me due to the weapons they brandished, I was left unconscious before they dispersed.”
Reacting, activist Paul remarked, “In light of prior incidents and records, the Deputy Governor of Abia State has exhibited profoundly questionable traits unbefitting of a political leader of his standing. Leadership is defined by exemplary attributes that serve the people while protecting their dignity, lives, and property as guaranteed by the Constitution.
“I therefore urge Governor Alex Otti and members of the Abia State House of Assembly to form an investigative panel and committee to examine the Deputy Governor’s barbaric actions.
“The Governor and the Abia State House of Assembly must urgently call the Deputy Governor to account. The numerous accounts of his reckless governance, brutality, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, torture, and assault of those who oppose him in his council area and home town of Ohafia Local Government Area are alarming.
“Human rights and the dignity of individuals are upheld by the Geneva Convention. These treaties have been ratified in full by over 200 countries, including Nigeria, mandating the protection of individuals from murder, torture, brutality, and discrimination based on race, nationality, religion, or political beliefs.
“The Deputy Governor should recognise that the Geneva Convention guarantees fundamental rights including freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, and the rights to life, liberty, work, and education, among others.
“Is the Deputy Governor not aware that Section 34 of the Nigerian Constitution states that every individual is entitled to respect for their dignity? It further stipulates that: (a) no person shall be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment; (b) no person shall be held in slavery or servitude.
“Recall that on November 14, 2024, the Daily Post reported that the Abia State House of Assembly condemned the alleged mistreatment of the member representing Ohafia South, Kalu Mba Nwoke, during the local government election in the state.”
Nwoke was arrested on November 2, 2024, for allegedly storming the Ohafia local government headquarters with a group of thugs, according to Chukwudi Eke Mba, the Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Deputy Governor.
During a motion presented in the House on Wednesday, Godwin Adiele, the representative for Ukwa West, condemned the treatment of the lawmaker, asserting that he deserved an apology from the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechuckwu Emetu.
Many members of the House voiced their support for his motion.
Nwoke claimed that he was assaulted and held for 24 hours on the deputy governor’s orders after questioning why the LGA secretariat was locked during the elections. He also protested the absence of election result sheets.
However, Chukwudi Eke Mba insisted that the Ohafia South representative was not abducted and asserted that his boss was not behind the arrest of the outspoken legislator.
