HURIWA Raises The Alarm Over Ministers’ Vendetta Against Lawmaker

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised the alarm over a plot to unleash political vendetta on the House of Representatives member for the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State, Hon. Amobi Ogah (Labour Party).

HURIWA expressed worry over the charges brought recently against Hon. Ogah by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, which it alleged were part of a targeted vendetta orchestrated by the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, with the backing of her  Justice counterpart.

HURIWA stressed that Ogah, who won the 2023 elections and defeated Hon Onyejeocha, has been subjected to ongoing legal and political harassment since then. The latest incident involved charges filed on July 31, 2024, accusing the lawmaker of false declaration under oath, publishing injurious falsehoods, perjury, and criminal defamation.

The rights group, in a statement by its National Co-ordinator, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, said those accusations were baseless and fueled by a personal vendetta from Onyejeocha, with the alleged involvement of the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, who previously represented Onyejeocha in election-related legal matters.

It noted that the former lawmaker who served in the House of Representatives for 16 years before her 2023 defeat allegedly refused to accept her electoral loss.

“After unsuccessful attempts to overturn the election results through the Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, Hon. Onyejeocha, now serving as the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, is accused of using her former legal counsel, now the Minister of Justice, to pursue a vendetta against Hon. Ogah,” the group said.

HURIWA highlighted a petition dated December 1, 2023, filed by Hon. Onyejeocha’s solicitor, accused Hon. Ogah of perjury and defamation during the election proceedings.

“This petition led to a police investigation, which HURIWA claims was biased, and the subsequent recommendation by the AGF’s office to file charges. HURIWA believes the legal opinion was tainted by the personal interests of the Minister of Justice,” it said.

The association expressed concern that the Minister of Justice, who recently appeared at HURIWA’s annual Human Rights Lecture and pledged to uphold the rule of law and due process, was allegedly using his office to settle political scores against Hon. Ogah.

“The rights group is alarmed by what it sees as the abuse of public office by both ministers, asserting that the charges against Hon. Ogah are politically motivated, rooted in Hon. Onyejeocha’s refusal to accept her defeat, and designed to damage her successor’s reputation.

“HURIWA also condemned the Nigeria Police Force’s involvement, calling their actions a “colossal disgrace” and accusing them of engaging in political conspiracy rather than fulfilling their duty to protect the people. The group warned that when law enforcement agencies act contrary to constitutional provisions, they undermine public trust and threaten democracy.

“HURIWA called on the Minister of Justice to stop using his position to further the personal vendettas of the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity. The association stressed that such actions jeopardise Hon. Ogah’s status as an elected representative seriously threatens Nigeria’s democracy. HURIWA urged investigating the AGF’s office activities related to this case.

“HURIWA pledged to continue monitoring the situation and take necessary steps to protect Hon. Amobi Ogah from what it considers a politically motivated attack. With Hon. Ogah’s arraignment scheduled for the 5th of next month, HURIWA called on all stakeholders to uphold the rule of law and reject any misuse of public office for personal gain.”

Meanwhile, a group known as Concerned Citizens of Isuikwuato/Umunneochi also raised the alarm over alleged abuse of office by Onyejeocha and Fagbemi in respect of a criminal charge filed against the Labour Party Lawmaker, Hon. Amobi Ogah.

The group, in an article sighted by our correspondent, alleged that the Attorney General was using his office to intimidate, harass and settle scores against perceived political opponents and as an instrument of self-serving vendetta, which portends grave danger to members of the general public and the country’s democracy largely.

They said Onyejeocha has, through Fagbemi, instituted several suits against the member representing the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives and expressed worry over the attorney general’s gross abuse of public office.

“The use of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and other public offices to settle scores against perceived opponents and as an instrument of self–serving vendetta portends grave danger to members of the general public and indeed our democracy.

“It has come to our knowledge that the office of the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation & Minister for Justice recently filed a criminal charge against Hon. Amobi Ogah in the FCT High Court on 31/7/2024 for alleged publication of injurious falsehood and defamation of the character of Nkeiru Onyejeocha the Minister of State for Labour & Productivity.

“The Charge with Charge No: CR/650/2024: Federal Republic of Nigeria Vs Amobi Godwin Ogah is not unconnected with Nkeiru Onyejeocha’s running battle to undermine Hon. Amobi Ogah since he emerged as the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, at the last 2023 general elections.

“Since her defeat both at the polls and in Court, Nkeiru Onyejeocha has refused to let sleeping dogs lie and has continually dragged Hon. Amobi Ogah from one Court or Police Station to another over an allegation that Hon. Amobi Ogah defamed her character in a Petition which he addressed to the President of the Court of Appeal during the pendency of the Election Tribunal hearing,” the statement added.