The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed deep concerns over what it perceived as a politically motivated persecution against Hon Amobi Ogah, the serving member of the House of Representatives for the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State.
The group raised the alarm over charges filed against Hon Ogah by the Attorney General of the Federation’s (AGF) office, which the association claimed are part of a calculated vendetta led by the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
The minister could not be reached for comments. She had contested the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in the 2023 election which Hon Ogah won.
HURIWA however said the minister is still nursing the defeat, pointing out that Hon Ogah has since been subjected to what it described as “a relentless campaign of harassment and legal persecution,” in a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko.
It said, “The latest development involves the filing of Charge No.: CR/650/2024 by the AGF’s office on July 31, 2024, accusing Hon. Ogah of false declaration under oath, publication of injurious falsehood, perjury, and criminal defamation.”
The Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, had served as Onyejeocha’s legal counsel during the election petition proceedings.
HURIWA contended that Hon. Onyejeocha, who served as a member of the House of Representatives for 16 years before her defeat in 2023, has refused to accept her electoral loss.
“In a detailed petition dated December 1, 2023, Hon. Onyejeocha accused Hon. Ogah of making false statements under oath and defaming her character during the 2023 Election Petition Proceedings.
“The petition, filed by her solicitor, requested the Inspector General of Police to investigate and prosecute Hon. Ogah.”
Following what HURIWA claims was a biassed police investigation, the case was referred to the AGF’s office for legal advice.
The association argued that the subsequent legal opinion, which recommended filing charges against Hon. Ogah, was allegedly “influenced by the personal interests of the Minister of Justice, who was deeply involved in the original election petition as Hon.
Onyejeocha’s legal representative.”
The association is particularly concerned that the Minister of Justice, who recently appeared at HURIWA’s annual Human Rights Lecture and pledged to uphold the rule of law and due process, is now allegedly using his office to settle political scores.
The said it is alarmed by what it perceived as an abuse of public office by both the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity and the Minister of Justice.
It further expressed deep disappointment with the role of the Nigeria Police Force in this saga, describing their involvement in the framing of Hon. Ogah as a “colossal disgrace.”
The association argued that the police, whose mandate is to serve and protect the people, have instead become instruments of political conspiracy.
It condemned the police’s actions, stating that when law enforcement agencies engage in activities that contradict constitutional provisions, it undermines public trust and poses a significant threat to democracy.
Warning, the group called on the Minister of Justice to desist from using his office to further the personal vendetta of the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity.
The association insisted that such actions not only undermine the position of Hon. Ogah as a duly elected representative but also constitutes a grave threat to Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
The rights group emphasised that the Nigerian Constitution classifies the abuse of power as a form of corruption and urged relevant authorities to investigate the activities of the AGF’s office in this matter.
The association vowed to continue monitoring the situation closely and “to take all necessary actions to protect Hon. Amobi Ogah” from what it views “as a politically motivated witch-hunt.”