Two prominent civil society organisations have called on Enugu State Governor, Barr. Peter Mbah, to urgently intervene in what they describe as a severe miscarriage of justice, involving the wrongful arraignment of a young man for murder and an unprecedented demand for a ₦50,000 “review fee” by the State’s Ministry of Justice.
In a joint letter addressed to the governor, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) and the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN) detailed the case of Mr. Godwin Odey, a 27-year-old dispatch rider who they claim was falsely charged with murder and possession of Indian hemp.
According to the groups, Mr. Odey, a graduate of Benue State Polytechnic, was in Obollo-Afor, Enugu State, on September 19, 2025, to attend a friend’s traditional wedding. While returning to Abuja after the ceremony, the vehicle he was in was stopped by police officers. The police were reportedly searching for suspects connected to the murder of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya, who had been killed the previous day.
The rights groups allege that although Indian hemp was supposedly found in the vehicle, other occupants were released after paying bribes. Mr Odey, unable to pay, was detained and subsequently charged with both the murder of the priest and unlawful possession of Indian hemp (Charge Nos. MEN/566C/2025 and MEN/565C/2025).
The organisations insist they have video, photographic evidence, and witness statements proving Mr Odey was at the wedding ceremony at the time the crime was committed, establishing a clear alibi.
The situation escalated when the groups attempted to submit a formal petition to the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Enugu State to review the case. In a shocking development, the petition, sent via Autostar Courier Services Limited, was rejected.
A notice from the courier service dated October 7, 2025, stated that the Attorney-General’s office refused to accept the document “on the ground that a review fee of ₦50,000 must first be paid to the State Government… because the case is a criminal one that has to do with murder.”
Okechukwu Nwanguma of RULAAC and Barrister Olu Omotayo of CRRAN condemned the demand, calling it “unprecedented and deeply disturbing.” They argued that imposing a monetary barrier on a petition violates citizens’ constitutional rights and raises serious concerns about corruption and access to justice.
“It is inconceivable that an office established to ensure justice and fairness would impose a monetary barrier before receiving a petition seeking redress in a criminal matter – especially one involving a potentially innocent citizen facing a capital charge,” the statement read.
The organisations are urging Governor Mbah to order an immediate investigation into the alleged demand for payment by the Attorney-General’s office, direct the Ministry of Justice to accept and act on the petition without any fee, take disciplinary action against any officials found culpable of misconduct and ensure a prompt and transparent review of Mr Odey’s case to prevent a miscarriage of justice.
“Your decisive intervention in this matter will reaffirm your administration’s commitment to justice,” the groups concluded, stressing that “justice cannot and must never be for sale.”
