Lawyers Demand End to Years of Secret Detention of South-east Youths, Others

South-eastern youths and other individuals have been held in secret detention for years, according to a coalition of independent lawyers. The group, Fiat Justicia Juris, addressed this issue in Umuahia, urging the Federal Government, United Nations, African Union, United States, and United Kingdom to intervene. Families of the detained individuals have been left in anguish, with no information about their loved ones' whereabouts or condition.

Mr. Olusegun Adekoya, the lead counsel, emphasized that the intervention was based on the constitution and the rule of law, not politics. The lawyers highlighted that detainees should be produced in court or released if there is no evidence against them. They also criticized the alleged transfer of suspects to military detention facilities, including Wawa in Niger State, and their indefinite holding without arraignment.

The team raised concerns over the death of Mrs. Calista Ifedi, who was detained since 2021 over alleged IPOB links and later reported to have died in custody. The lawyers plan to compile a comprehensive register of missing persons, which will be submitted to international human rights bodies. They called for international attention to arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture, and unlawful killings in the Southeast.

The coalition acknowledged the need for tackling insecurity but stressed that security and justice must reinforce each other, not compete. The lawyers intend to present photographic evidence, medical reports, and testimonies from families and survivors, demanding justice and accountability for the detained individuals.