David Ugolor: The Nigerian Police on trial?

I have just been informed that the Nigerian Inspector General of Police has not yet granted bail to fiery activist and founding Chairman of Publish What You Pay Nigeria, Rev. David Ugolor after a High Court in Benin ordered his immediate and unconditional release yesterday. Dependable sources have confirmed that the court bailiffs were on ground today to properly serve the ruling to the police high authorities at Louis Edet House, Abuja. However there was no action on the matter as at the close of business today, almost twenty four hours after the landmark ruling was granted by the courts.

The implication of this is that Rev. Ugolor will likely remain in detention all through the weekend and possibly during the two-day public holiday next week. This is simply agonisingly shameful and unacceptable. By today it will be three weeks(twenty one days )since David Ugolor was ambushed and hounded into detention allegedly in a 'dramatic' investigation that has almost made the Nigerian Police an international caricature. If those who are in charge of our security can allow themselves to be drawn to the centre of such a drama in a sensitive matter relating to murder, then one can appreciate the level of decay that has morbidly invaded the heartbeat of our national life.

I do not wish to hastily interpret the action of the Nigerian Police as a contempt of court but I join advocates of fairness to urge the new Inspector General of Police to quickly comply to this order before he drags the name of the Nigerian Police Force to further opprobrium.

On the on-going investigation of the murder of the Principal Private Secretary to the Edo State Governor, late Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, Nigerians far and near, patiently await the time that the Nigerian Police will make their findings public. We are watching with keen interest and studied silence. The Nigerian Police is on trial. Aluta Continua! Victoria Acerta!

Uche Igwe
University of Sussex, United Kingdom
[email protected]

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Articles by Uche Igwe