DPP EXONERATED REV. DAVID UGOLOR OVER THE MURDER OF OYERINDE OLAITON

AN ADDRESS BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AFRICA NETWORK FOR ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE AT AN INTERRACTIVE SESSION WITH CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE MEDIA IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, TO MARK HIS VINDICATION BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTION, NOVEMBER 7, 2012

My Dear Comrades/Gentlemen of the press,
You would recall that I was unlawfully arrested by officers and men of the Nigerian Police on the 27th of July 2012 over a false allegation of being the sponsor of the murder of my close friend, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde who until his gruesome murder was the private secretary to the Edo State Governor.

You will all recall the struggle by men and women of good will who poured out to the streets proclaiming my innocence of the trumped up allegation.

The various legal battles by my lawyers and the astuteness of the Judiciary saw my release from prison custody on September 11, 2012 on bail. This was sequel to the fact that the Nigerian Police hadn't any strong reasons for framing me up apart from the man, Garuba Usman Maismari they brought to frame me up.

In the so-called investigation by the Nigerian Police, they did not recommend me for prosecution for lack of prima facie . They accordingly referred my issue to the Director of Public Prosecution for advice.

My Comrades, gentlemen of the press, the DPP has issued its Legal advice on the matter. The startling revelation is that two of the suspects in the said case , Danjuma Musa and Muritala Usman had been in the custody of the Edo State Police Command since April 24, 2012 long before our beloved Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde was murdered on the 4th of May, 2012.

I am also glad to inform you that the DPP advice in respect of my humble self say : "With respect to Rev. David Ugolor, the allegation against him hinge entirely on the confessional statement of Garba Usman Maisamari. It is trite law that in the absence of independent evidence, the confession of an accused person is not admissible evidence against a co-accused. Accordingly, as the record stands today, no prima facie is made out against him. He should be released if still in custody."

We have come to a glorious end of the battle to enthrone justice in my case and I thank God almighty who used great citizens, a good number are hear gathered to fight oppression in this country.

For us the case is ended with me, but the battle to set the innocent free who are still held captive and end the culture of impunity among law enforcement officer has just begun. We are using this occasion to launch a campaign for both police and prisons reforms in the country.

Let me again, thank the media and Civil Society in Nigeria who stood by me all the while. I also thank the Edo State Comrade Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole who issued a clear statement at the peak of the police drama.

I also want to thank my church, the New Apostolic Church for standing be me during the period and for re-affirming their implicit confidence in my person.

Kindly convey this good news to the world vide your various.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Reported by Marxist Kola