BREAKING: Nigerian Police Bring Detention Vehicle to Court, Prepare to Incarcerate Activist Mojekwu, Held for Accusing Benue Governor Alia’s Aide of N20 Billion Fraud in EFCC Petition

Sources close to the matter stated that the police had preemptively coordinated with correctional services to ensure Mojekwu’s immediate remand in prison following the court proceedings. A vehicle from the correctional services was reportedly positioned at the court premises to transport him upon the completion of his arraignment.

The arrest and subsequent arraignment of Mr. Mojekwu stem from his detention on Tuesday night by the newly appointed Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Mr. Yabaneth Steve Hassan. This action was in response to a petition Mojekwu filed against Dr. Dennis Akura, the Special Adviser on Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State.

Earlier in February 2024, under Mojekwu’s leadership, the GICN had submitted a detailed petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accusing Dr. Akura of orchestrating unauthorized withdrawals exceeding N20 billion from the accounts of local governments in Benue State. The petition, supported by evidence including letters from council chairmen and directors, prompted calls for a thorough investigation. Copies of the petition were also sent to the Department of State Services (DSS) and the House Committee on Public Petitions.

Despite these serious allegations, it appears the local authorities have responded by targeting Mojekwu. Sources revealed that instead of fostering a transparent investigation into these claims, Akura resorted to influencing local police to arrest the activists behind the petition. The EFCC had been preparing to commence its investigation and had invited Mojekwu’s group to formally endorse the petition when he was detained.

It was also learned that the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions had summoned Akura on February 27, 2024, to address the allegations. However, Akura did not comply with the summons, which would have required him to discuss the substantial financial discrepancies attributed to his office.

Upon Mojekwu’s arrest, Barrister Edward Omaga, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and President of the GICN, expressed deep concern over the motivations behind the police action, suggesting it was an attempt to derail the pending investigations by various anti-corruption agencies. Mojekwu had voluntarily responded to a police summons to address charges of conspiracy, criminal defamation, and cyberstalking brought against him by Akura, only to find himself detained.

The GICN has been vocal in its plea for higher intervention, urging President Bola Tinubu and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to take action to safeguard Mojekwu’s fundamental human rights, which they claim are being infringed upon by the actions of Akura and the Benue State government. The group remains committed to resisting what it views as an abuse of power meant to suppress lawful and necessary inquiries into significant allegations of corruption.