WARRI, Delta State — July 1, 2025 — A Federal High Court sitting in Warri has ordered the Nigerian Defence Headquarters and the Chief of Defence Staff to bring Professor Arthur Ekpekpo, the President-General of the Ewu Kingdom, to court at the next hearing.
Justice H.A. Ngajiwa gave the ruling on Monday, July 1, during a legal proceeding in a case filed by members of the Okuama community. The case number is FHC/WR/CS/42/2024.
Why Was Ekpekpo Arrested?
Professor Ekpekpo was arrested earlier in 2024 by the Nigerian military. His arrest followed a violent incident in the Okuama community, located in Ughelli South Local Government Area, where 17 soldiers were killed. The soldiers were reportedly on a peacekeeping mission when they were ambushed. The attack shocked the nation and led to tighter military operations across the Niger Delta region.
Along with Professor Ekpekpo, two other individuals — Mr. Julius Oghoroko and Mr. Bernard Esegba — were also arrested in connection to the killings.
What Happened in Court?
During the court session, Dr. Jonathan Ekperusi, who is representing Professor Ekpekpo, asked the court to grant his client bail. He argued that Ekpekpo’s human rights were being violated, as he had been kept in military custody without formal charges or access to a lawyer.
In response, Justice Ngajiwa ordered the military authorities — specifically the third and fifth respondents in the case (which include the Nigerian Defence Headquarters and the Chief of Defence Staff) — to produce Ekpekpo in court at the next hearing. The judge also ordered that the ruling be formally delivered to the Attorney-General of the Federation, who is listed as the second respondent in the case.
Next Steps
The court has adjourned the case to September 30, 2025, when it will hear the bail application and expect Professor Ekpekpo to be present.
Reactions and Tensions
The arrest of Ekpekpo has become a hot topic in Delta State, especially as many community members feel the military has gone too far in its actions. Human rights organizations and local leaders have accused the security forces of arresting people without evidence or due process.
While the military says it is only doing its job to find those responsible for the soldiers’ deaths, activists argue that holding people for months without trial is not legal and damages trust in the justice system.
The case is being closely watched by both community members and national observers as it could set a precedent for how such sensitive matters are handled in the future.
