Lawyer explains suit against army as Delta govt seeks return of Okuama citizens
Ijaw group decries ‘ campaign of calumny’ against military
DState Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged the military authorities to demobilise from Okuama Community so that the indigenes can return and allow rehabilitation to commence.
This is as the lead counsel, who instituted a N200 billion suit against the Nigerian Army, Malcolm Omirhobo, at the weekend, clarified that he is a counsel and not a party in the fundamental rights case instituted at the Federal High Court, Warri, Delta State.
He said that the case was filed after being briefed by residents of Okuama Community, adding that the clarification was necessary to clear the impression created on the subject matter.
Oborevwori, who visited over a string of sponsored and the sacked community for unwarranted attacks and a the first time, on Saturday , well- orchestrated campaign since March 14 when 17 solof calumny against the Nigerdiers were killed, said that the ian militar y leadership on the stage is now set for rehabilitaOkoloba/ Okuama crisis. tion. The group, in an open letter
He said: “It is with a hea vy to President Bola Tinubu, heart that I visited the troujointly signed by its Coordinabled Okuama Community totor, Seigha Manager, and the day for a first- hand Publicity Secretar y, Andrew E. assessment of the situation Elijah, said that it has uncovon the ground. Agreeably, a ered a stri ng of sponsored lot has taken place since and unwarranted attacks, and the sad and tragic incident oca well- orchestrated campaign curred, which claimed t he of calumny by a section of the lives of four officers and 13 media to discredit the Nigeria men of the militar y. militar y on the
“The stage now is the rehaOkoloba/ Okuama crisis. bilitation and return of innoIt is stated that the aim was to cent citizens who fled the blackm ail the armed forces community in the wa ke of with deliberate falsehood and the horrendous incident.” unfounded stories as a ploy to M
EANWHILE, the Condemand for the removal of c erned Ija w Citizens the service chiefs.
( CIC) has expressed worr y While commending the level of professionalism of the military in handling the crisis, the group urged the military command not to be blackmailed to abandoning their professional duties.
The group stated that the Okoloba people believe in peaceful means to end the conflict, and agreed to submit themselves to the Military Board of Inquiry.
The letter stated that the Okoloba people have been notifying relevant security agencies, local and state governments, of the reckless activities of the Okuama people, including ( but not limited to) alleged unwarranted harassment of defenceless women and men with machetes, clubs, bows, arrows, guns in their farms and fishing lakes, rape, kidnap, arson, murder, among others.