By Ozioruva Aliu
BENIN CITY – A lawyer, Bright Iluobe and family members of the former Special Adviser on Youth Mobilisation (Edo Central) to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Collins Aigbogun on Tuesday rued his continued detention 16 days after he was arrested as a result of the anti-kidnapping protest in Ekpoma, Esan West local government area that went violent on January 10 this year.
They said they have become more worried after those who actively participated in the protest have all been released while their breadwinner who was only accused of knowing about the protest is still in police detention.
Addressing a press conference in Benin City, Iluobe said they believe there are some political interests fighting against their client and father as he said Aigbogun was initially arrested by the Department of State Security (DSS) and later transferred to the police.
“We state clearly that the continued detention of our client raises grave constitutional and legal concerns. From our instructions and investigations, this arrest appears to be part of a recurring pattern of harassment, calculated to diminish our client’s political influence and silence his legitimate civic engagement.
” We must emphasise that this press briefing is not an invitation to try this matter in the media, nor is it intended to pre empt the course of any investigation. Rather, it is a measured intervention prompted by the well settled principle that where liberty is restrained, the law must speak clearly and act promptly.
” In every constitutional democracy, it is accepted that the powers of the State, though wide, are not at large. They are circumscribed by law, exercised within defined limits, and always subject to constitutional restraint. Personal liberty is not a privilege dispensed at discretion, it is a right, only to be curtailed in strict accordance with due process.
” We are particularly concerned by reports alleging that certain individuals are invoking the name of the Executive Governor of Edo State as being responsible for our client’s ordeal. We do not believe this to be the true position and we are confident that his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State would not condone the unlawful or prolonged detention of any citizen without due process.
Also speaking, Aigbogun’s wife, Vivian Aigbogun said she and the children including a two months baby have been traumatized since their father was arrested.
She said “I am appealing to the governor who is our father to see my husband as a son and call for his release. I was called on the phone that my husband had been arrested, I couldn’t see him until he was transferred to the police. We are hearing that he instigated the protest. All those arrested as regards the protest have all been released. I have a two month baby, I am a nursing mother.”
Aigbogun’s elder brother, Tom said the continued detention of his younger brother is also having itd toll on their aged mother
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