Juliana Francis
A coalition of Nigerian civil society organisations (CSOs) has sounded the alarm over what they describe as the gross violation of human rights and suppression of civic participation in Ebonyi State, highlighting the detention and alleged persecution of human rights defender, Comrade Emmanuel Acha.
The briefing was held today at the Conference Hall of Spaces for Change, Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking under the banner of the Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS), representatives from 10 rights-focused organisations called for the immediate release of Comrade Acha, who has been held without bail for over three months following his arrest in April.
Acha, Chairperson of the Enugu State Civil Society Network, was arrested in Enugu and transferred to Abakaliki Prison in connection with his legal challenge of the government’s handling of the protracted Effium-Ezza land conflict.
Civil groups claim the arrest was politically motivated and designed to punish his dissent.
Acha faces charges of arms possession and murder under Charge No: HKW/27C/2025, in a case activists argue lacks credible evidence and judicial neutrality, citing the presiding judge’s alleged ties to the rival community in the dispute.
Human rights groups allege Acha was assaulted during arrest, denied proper medical care, and deprived of basic legal rights.
His arrest reportedly lacked a judicial warrant and contravenes multiple constitutional protections, including Sections 34, 35, and 39 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.
The coalition issued six demands to Ebonyi State authorities, including Acha’s unconditional release, accountability for rights violations, withdrawal of politically charged accusations, and inclusive oversight of the White Paper on the Effium-Ezza conflict.
Despite submitting a formal petition to Governor Francis Nwifuru on July 7, activists say no response has been received. They’ve now turned to the National Human Rights Commission for urgent intervention.
The case of Comrade Acha, according to AGFCS, represents a troubling precedent for Nigeria’s democratic health and the protection of civic space.
Members of the coalition are Spaces for Change (S4C), Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Restorative Justice for Africa (REJA-Initiative) and seven other allied organisations across Nigeria.
