CSOs in Nigeria Condemn Arrest of Rev. David Ugolor

CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS IN NIGERIA CONDEMN THE ARREST AND CONTINUED DETENTION OF REV. DAVID UGOLOR OVER THE SPURIOUS ALLEGATION OF MURDER OF COMRADE OLAITAN OYERINDE BY MEN OF NIGERIAN POLICE AND DEMAND HIS IMMEDIATE  AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE.

We members of Civil Society Organisations represented hereunder  are shocked that up till now Rev. Ugolor who was arrested on Friday July 27, 2012, is still being detained by men of  the Nigerian police tagged “Federal SARS” over the callous allegation of the  murder of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde. We are pained by the in human condition he has been subjected to like a common criminal since his arrest even as we believe strongly in his innocence .

We are aware that Rev Ugolor made frantic efforts  to save the life of comrade Olaitan after he was shot by his assailants, when comrade Olaitan’s wife rushed to his house in the middle of the night to inform him of the unfortunate incident.  Rev Ugolor without delay rushed comrade Olaitan to the Central Hospital, Benin City, to seek medical attention in order to save his life.

We have examined the situation and reached the conclusion that some faceless persons who feel threatened by the lawful activities of Rev Ugolor and his organization have planned to dent his image and rob him with the murder of comrade Olaitan. Such persons should know today that such action will raise the profile of Rev Ugolor against their selfish desires and wicked plot.

We attest to the fact that Rev David Ugolor is a man of integrity and unquestionable character who has always advocated a non-violent approach to societal development. He has engaged government across board both locally and internationally with this approach which has yielded positive results for the nation and the globalised world. His activism spans over two decades of coordinated, well articulated and result oriented activities acknowledged internationally.

We completely denounce his continued incarceration and demand his immediate and unconditional release so that he can re-unite with his family.

We urge security agents to fish out all those persons with such sinister motives who are behind this criminal conspiracy and bring them to justice to serve as deterrent to others.

We appeal to you to use your very good offices to ensure his immediate and unconditional release from detention.

SIGNED:

Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice

Edo State Conference of NGOs (CONGOs)

South South Youth League

Downtrodden Forum For Development, DFFD

Niger Delta Youth Congress

Voice of the Masses

Gani Fawehinmi Movement for Good Governance

Pan Nigeria Youth Congress

Coalition of Edo Youth Organisations

Ijaw Youth Council

Olodiama Youth Movement

Edo Student Parliament

Edo State Ladies League

The New Nigeria Parliament

Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN)

Initiative for Youth Awareness on  Development and Reintegration.

Craddle for Black Civilization

Women Environmental Programme

Charles and Doosurgh Abaagu Foundation

Community Emergency Response Initiative

Shacks and Slum Dwellers Association of Nigeria