A Human Right Activist in Asaba, Comrade Mr Harrison Gwamnishu has put motion in place to institute a legal action against the chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr Uche Osadebe for alleged brutality, assault and attempted murder .
Gwamnishu, a foundero of Behind Bars Right Initiative (BBI) said that he was beaten to a pulp by agents of the council chairman while recording the council taskforce members as they were destroying moulded blocks at a private block industry in Asaba.
“I quickly called the environment Commissioner and he told me that offices close around 4pm, that he was not aware if Governor issued such directive to destroy people’ s property. I took my phone to video the damaged blocks, immediately one of the boys collected it from me and smashed it on the four.
Comrade Gwamnishu said that the council task force smashed the mobile handset he was using to video the incident, stole a laptop from his car and even attempted to allegedly kidnap him from the police station, where he had gone to officially report the matter, on the orders of Mr Osadebe.
According to him, “13 persons initially pounced on him at the scene, another eight men came to the police to take him away, but they were unsuccessful, they beat me from all angles. I was calling for help but people were just watching without intervening.
” Somebody who was at the front of my car was recording the incident, they also pounced on her and attempted to seize her phone. They opened the back door of my car and removed my laptop before they entered their car and escaped,” he said.
In a reaction, the council chairman, Mr Osadebe denied the assault on Gwamnishu noted that the activist had been poking his nose into a matter that does not concern him.
But, Osadebe admitted that his men went to the block industry to effect a clean up of the area on the orders of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa saying that an eviction notice was served on the operators since September last year.“I don’t know what happened between him and myboys because he was passing on the road before they started fighting each other.
“Himself called me and started insulting me.It was none of his business because he feels he is a human rights activist. Nobody assaulted him, he should face his business, that you are a human rights activist does not make you to be above the law,”
Gwamnishu’s counsel, Barr. Favour Ajuebor, said the fundamental rights of his client has been breached by agents of the council chairman and vowed to institute legal action.
Barr Ajuebor said a civil petition against the council boss will be forwarded to the state governor, the state House of Assembly and the Local Government Service Commission for alleged breach of client’s rights while a criminal petition will also be forwarded to the state police command and other relevant agencies.
“They came to the station to attempt to kidnap my client, they did everything to try to murder him, it is attempted murder. We are instituting a fundamental right action at the high court to enforce his rights that were infringed upon as enshrined in the Constitution and the African Charter on Human Rights. We will write a criminal petition to the CP, and a civil petition to the governor and copy the House of Assembly and the LG service commission.“
His action is unbecoming of a chief security officer at the LG level. He should take responsibility for the actions of his agents and see how he can resolve issues amicably. As an executive chairman, his primary duty is to protect lives and property of every citizen, and ensure that the welfare of citizens are properly met,” counsel said .
