The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has issued a formal appeal to the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, demanding the immediate release of more than 40 traditional practitioners currently detained by state authorities. These individuals were apprehended approximately two months ago following the enactment of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, under allegations of providing protective charms to criminal elements and involvement in ritualistic practices purportedly contributing to the state’s security challenges.
In a statement released by Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and other members of Intersociety, the organisation asserts that the detainees are legitimate traditional worshippers and that their continued detention constitutes an infringement on religious freedom. The statement contends:
“The traditional worshippers currently detained in Anambra State lack legal culpability. Governor Charles Soludo and his administration, having demonstrated a failure to uphold principles of responsibility, human rights, and religious freedom, have forfeited any legal or moral justification for their continued detention without due process.”
Intersociety further emphasised the following points:
- “The over 40 traditional worshippers, illegally held in an unauthorised detention facility (the state militias’ Lion House in Awka) for over 60 days, must be released forthwith.”
- “This period of detention significantly exceeds the constitutionally mandated 24-48 hours, or a maximum of 60 days for offenses involving capital punishment, particularly when such detention is for the purpose of ongoing criminal investigations.”
- “Governors in Nigeria, including Governor Soludo of Anambra State, are legally prohibited from detaining citizens in their militias’ custody through Remand Orders or Holden Charge.”
- “Given the Soludo-led government’s failure to adhere to due process and the rule of law in this instance, and their public denigration of these individuals as participants in ‘fetish and demonic religious practices and violent crimes,’ the detained traditional practitioners have no legal case to answer.”
Intersociety identified several of the detained individuals, including Chigozie Nwangwu (Akwa Okuko tiwara aki), Abuchi Ikechukwu Okafor, Chijindu Nwaeze, Onyeka Onyeji (Vice President of the Umuoji Improvement Union), Onyeze Jesus, and Ekene Igboekweze (Eke-Hit).
Additionally, the group expressed deep concern regarding the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the Southeast region. They urged the governors of Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, and Imo States to take decisive action, or face potential international advocacy efforts leading to visa bans and international isolation for themselves and their families.
