WARRI, Delta State — A Federal High Court sitting in Warri on Thursday adjourned to November 13, 2025 the suit filed by Okuama community (Ughelli South LGA) seeking the release of four leaders allegedly held by the Nigerian Army since August 18–19, 2024 following the killing of 17 soldiers.
The applicants want the court to order the production and release of Prof. Author Okpeku (President-General), Chief Belvis Adogbo, Dennis Amalaka, and Mabel Owhemu. The community disclosed that another detainee, Pa James Oghoroko, a former community president, died in custody during the year-long detention.
At Thursday’s sitting, counsel to the Army informed the court it had filed a preliminary objection challenging the suit. Asked by the judge about the status of the detainees, the Army’s counsel could not confirm their exact place of detention, a disclosure that sparked unease among community members present in court.
Counsel to the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Dr. Jonathan Ekperusi, expressed disappointment that the military did not comply with an earlier order to produce the detainees in court. He questioned the legal basis for the Army’s continued custody of civilians, arguing that only the police are empowered to detain and investigate such matters.
Speaking for Okuama families, Pastor Edewor Ogedegbe, former Secretary-General of the Ewu Clan Development Forum, decried the prolonged, incommunicado detention, insisting the community remains law-abiding and chose the courts to resolve the dispute.
Background
The arrests came days after the March 2024 killings of 17 Army officers and soldiers attributed to violence around Okuama. (The community’s suit cites detentions starting August 18–19, 2024.) The Army subsequently carried out expanded security operations in the area.
What’s next
The court will first hear and determine the Army’s preliminary objection on November 13. Depending on that ruling, the judge is expected to take up the substantive prayers seeking the production (habeas-type relief) and release of the detainees, as well as any ancillary orders.
Relatives and community leaders say they will continue to pursue the case through legal channels and are urging authorities to disclose the detainees’ whereabouts, ensure access to counsel and medical care, and comply with court directives ahead of the next hearing.
