By Kayode Olopade
A coalition of civil society organisations under the banner of the Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS) has raised alarm over what it describes as gross human rights violations and a sustained assault on civic freedom in Ebonyi State. The group is demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Emmanuel Acha, a prominent human rights advocate and Chairperson of the Enugu State Civil Society Network, who has been held in detention for over three months.
Addressing journalists at a media briefing held on Monday at the Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) in Aba, Abia State, the coalition decried the "politically motivated" arrest and prosecution of Acha, calling it a “litmus test for Nigeria’s democracy and commitment to civil liberties.”
According to the group, Acha was arrested around 5:00 a.m. in March 2025 in Enugu and later transferred to Abakaliki Prison in Ebonyi State. His arrest, they allege, was in retaliation for a legal suit he filed in December 2024 challenging the state government's handling of the long-standing Effium-Ezza land conflict in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi.
The suit, marked FHC/AI/CS/FHR/221/24, reportedly questioned state actions in relation to the communal conflict, which has seen multiple intervention efforts — including a ceasefire agreement in 2023, a peace committee in 2024, and an amnesty programme launched earlier this year.
Rather than engage with Acha’s concerns through lawful means, the coalition claims the government chose intimidation, alleging that he was assaulted upon arrest, held without a warrant, and denied access to medical care. They also allege that he is being tried on trumped-up charges of murder and illegal arms possession (Charge No: HKW/27C/2025), under the supervision of a judge said to be from one of the rival ethnic communities involved in the land dispute — a move they say raises questions about judicial neutrality.
“This is a clear case of political persecution disguised as criminal prosecution,” the group stated, warning that the crackdown on Acha signals an alarming trend of suppressing dissent and civic participation in Nigeria.
Citing Sections 34, 35, and 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, the organisations argued that the treatment of Comrade Acha violates his rights to personal dignity, liberty, and freedom of expression. They also emphasized that citizens must be free to challenge government policies through lawful channels without fear of reprisal.
The coalition issued a six-point demand to Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and other relevant authorities, including:
1. The immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Acha.
2. Accountability for officials who participated in his alleged abuse.
3. Withdrawal of all politically motivated charges.
4. Provision of urgent medical care and access to legal representation.
5. Inclusion of civil society and international observers in the peace process.
6. Respect for citizens’ constitutional rights to civic engagement.
They disclosed that a petition was sent to the governor on July 7, 2025, but has so far received no response. A separate petition has also been submitted to the National Human Rights Commission, urging them to launch an independent investigation into the case.
“This is not just about one man,” the group declared. “It is about protecting civic space and democratic values in Nigeria.”
The press briefing was endorsed by eleven civil society organisations, including Spaces for Change (S4C), Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Restorative Justice for Africa (REJA-Initiative), and the host organisation, FENRAD.
The coalition called on the media, the public, and the international community to amplify their message and pressure authorities to act.
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