Some Civil Society Organizations have demanded the immediate release of detained Cross River State environmentalist, Odey Oyama.
Oyama, the Director of Rain forest Resource and Development Centre (RRDC) and a campaigner against the deforestation of Cross River State’s forest reserve, particularly against illegal logging in the Effi Rain forest, was arrested on January 15, in Ikom, Cross River State and scheduled to appear in court on January 20 – yesterday, January 15 – but the arraignment was aborted.
The CSOs insist that Oyama’s arrest and detention by the police signify a rising trend of abuse and repression.
Executive Director of PADIC, formerly known as Development Concerns (DEVCON), Dr. Martins Egot, and the Director of PeacePoint Development Foundation (PPDF), Mr. Umo Isuaiko, faulted the environmentalist’s arrest and detention saying it’s deliberately aimed to keep him incommunicado.
Similarly, Executive Director of Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Comrade Nnimmo Bassey, and Executive Director of We the People (WTP), Mr. Ken Henshaw, alongside 28 others, said it’s against the law for Odey to be detained beyond 24 hours without trial.
They insist that “the action of the Nigerian Police has once again demonstrated flagrant disregard for due process and their role in stifling dissenting voices, especially when vested business interests are at stake.
“In this instance, Odey Oyama, a conscientious objector to the destruction of the environment, rather than enjoying the protection of the government, is being systematically persecuted,” they lamented.
It is not yet clear why Oyama’s campaign against illegal logging in the Effi Rain forest would earn him arrest, detention and a likely prosecution.
When contacted for a comment on Oyama’s aborted arraignment, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Irene Ugbo simply said, “It could be that the papers were not ready.”
