A civil rights Non-governmental organization, ‘Access To Justice’, has reacted to the arrest of Gloria Okolie who has allegedly been in detention for over 70 days.

In a press statement by Joseph Otteh, Convener and Deji Ajare, Project Director titled, ‘THE POLICE MUST CHARGE GLORY OKOLIE TO COURT OR RELEASE HER UNCONDITIONALLY’, the NGO noted that the whereabouts of the lady was initially unknown until a young man released from the custody of the Inspector-General of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IGP-IRT) disclosed same to the family

The Group said that Gloria’s situation is disturbing. According to them, the 70 days detention is a violation of her right fair hearing and a contravention of the Police Act, 2020, and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

The statement reads in part, “On the 17th of June 2021, Glory Okolie, a young girl of 22 years left home and never returned home, leaving her family and friends perplexed, especially because it was not customary of her to keep late nights or sleep outside the house. The emotional torment from the sudden disappearance of Glory Okolie continued until late June, 2021, when a young man released from the Inspector General of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IGP-IRT) disclosed to Glory’s family that she was in the custody of the IGP- IRT, Tiger Base in Owerri, Imo State, and was made to cook and clean for the Police Officers. Armed with this new information, Glory’s parents went to the IGP-IRT office to secure her release, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Instead, the Police transferred Glory Okolie to Abuja.

“As the story of Glory’s predicament began to filter out into public space, it generated public outcry, and individuals and civil society organisations began to call for the release of Glory Okolie. This prompted the IGP to order an investigation into the matter, within a couple of days, and in a rather shocking twist, on the 22nd of August 2021, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aremu Adeniran issued a press statement purporting that Glory Okolie is an informant of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN), and labelled her ‘militant spy girl’.

“As an organisation that pursues justice for
everyone, Access to Justice finds Glory’s case to be especially disturbing because prior to the press release issued by the police and the allegation slapped on Glory Okolie, she had been detained for over 70 days without access to legal representation, a clear violation of her right to fair hearing and a breach of the Police Act, 2020 and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. Even more worrying is the fact that there was no formal or informal communication made to Glory’s family notifying them of her arrest since the 17th of June, 2021, giving her arrest and her illegal detention the appearance of an abduction and enforced disappearance.”

Therefore, Access to Justice demands that Glory Okolie be charged to court if the Police have evidence to back their claim or release her unconditionally.

The Group further calls on the Police Service Commission to carry out an independent investigation into the integrity of the police report that says Gloria is a spy to IPOB/ESN and to sanction all other persons involved in violation of the rights of the detainee.

Also, Access to Justice “Demands that the National Assembly should call the IGP to order, and impress on him to ensure that police officers must be seen to employ due process and work within the provisions of the law when dealing with the public at all times.

“Notifies the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation that should there be a delay or reluctance to take action on this matter, a suit will be filed against all concerned parties to ensure the enforcement of Glory Okolie’s fundamental human rights.”

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