Incarceration By Emeka Offor: Beko Ransome-kutiâs Colleague In Prison Cries Out
Emeka Offor's incarceration: Beko Ransome-Kutiâs colleague in Anambra prison cries outBy Tony Okafor, AwkaComrade Boniface Okonkwo who has been in prison in Anambra State since January over an alleged criminal defamation has called for the intervention of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falanaâs in his matter.Okonkwo,who hails from Oraifitein the Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State was arrested and detained by the police in the state on January 3,2024 over alleged criminal defamation of a businessman, Sir Emeka OfforHe was said to have posted on social media that a meter manufacturing company in Oraifite, said to be owned by Offor, was an empty warehouse, intended to defraud the Federal Government.Offor was accused to have instigated the arrest of the activist.Efforts to secure Okonkwoâs bail since January failed as court refused him bail.Speaking to our correspondent on Wednesday, after the resumed hearing of his matter at the Anambra State High Court Nnewi, Okonkwo said Offor would want him to die in prison.Okonkwo who said he was into activism in the 1990s with the late Beko Ransome-Kuti, appealed to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Human Rights Lawyer Femi Falana to intervene in his case to save him from imminent danger.Stating that he was sick but could not access treatment in a hospital of his choice, Okonkwo said his children were about to be sacked in their schools for not been able to pay their school fees because of his incarceration.He said,â As a human rights activist, I fight for the vulnerable. I speak out against atrocities and injustice. I joined campaign for democracy in 1990 under Beko Ransome Kuti.âI was given chieftaincy title by the monarch of Ezumeru. That was on December 27 before the January 3 I was arrested.Even though I rejected it, but I was convinced that a prophet is not recognised by his people. I donât lobby for titles.âSince then I have been in detention and the man has been boasting that even if I go to appeal, nobody can bail me in Nigeria.âMy current address now is Nnewi prison. If theyâre talking about peace, yes I want peace, but not the peace of the graveyard. If youâre talking of peace, I wonât be in detention, for four months.âI asked again, the alleged defamation of character, is it a capital offence? The same offence that Abuja court granted me bail and I didnât jump?âIâm once again, appealing to his excellency, President Ahmed Tinubu, his wife and vice to intervene. I also want Nigeria press, bloggers to help me out from this pathetic situation.âMy kids are all in an international school and I canât pay their fees. The judge alleged Iâm a flight risk, which flight risk? Iâm a Nigerian, though resident in South Africa. But Iâm an indigenous of Oraifite, where will I run to?âIâm equally calling on Femi Falana to help out as member of human rights group to ensure I secure my bail so I can be coming to the court from my home.âCurrently, Iâm sick and canât access medicare. The other day I nearly fainted. I was told they want to bring the lab test to me, but I said no. I can afford to pay my bill in the hospital. I canât be subjected to medication by those who I donât know.âIâm still open for peace, but itâs not when Iâm still in prisonContinuing, Okonkwoâs said,âIâve already told the court, which I put in writing that I no longer have confidence in this particular court handling my trial. Unfortunately, the CJ turned it down, insisting the same judge should continue.âI donât have any other option. When a defendant said he has lost confidence in the judge, there are other courts which Iâm not dictating.âWhat is going on is just trampling on my human rights and power show to prove to me that he has connections. I have never had criminal records anywhere. This is not his first time of arresting me. In 2007 and 2013 I was arrested by the same man on alleged defamation of character.âMy passport was withheld for almost a year. I was unable to travel to do my business. Itâs just a tragedy.But at the end of the day, the Magistrate court in Abuja threw the case out. Itâs on record that they never asked for my international passport. They only requested for a royal father and one guarantor resident in Abuja.âYet I never jumped bail. I sued through Femi Falana and the court awarded me 5m against them. The matter was appealed. If Abuja Magistrate court could grant me bail, a high court within my jurisdiction is talking about abscondment. Itâs unbelievable whatâs going on in Anambra judiciary.Responding to his elder brotherâs out-of-court settlement, Okonkwo said, âAs a Pastor, of 30 years calling, my brother, what do you expect him to say? He meant well to sue for peace. Of course, if matter is still in court, and thereâs option for peace, why wonât I go for peace?âYou can win matter in court, but youâll never win peace. But I wonât be in detention seeking for peace. But it will surprise you to know that the life of the same person calling for peace is being tormented.At the court hearing on Tuesday, the prosecution, led by Alex Ejesieme ( SAN) cross examined a police forensic expert, a Superintendent of Police, who maintained that Okonkwo was the owner of the telephone number that allegedly posted the defamatory publication on the a WhatsApp group that maligned Emeka Offor.After the defence counsel, Oseleka Osuigwe, crossexamined the police forensic expert, the presiding judge , Justice Vincent Agbata, adjourned the matter to May 21 for further hearing.