By Ken Afor
The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Youth Wing Worldwide and the Urhobo Youths Leaders Association have announced that they will not participate in the military’s Board of Inquiry investigating the tragic events of March 17 in Okuama, Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
This was conveyed in a joint statement signed by Olorogun Amb. Samuel Oghotomo JP. President, Urhobo Youths Leaders and Blessed Ughere, President, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Association, Youth Wing.
The decision comes amid concerns over the impartiality and legal authority of the military-led probe.
The groups cited the doctrine of ‘Nemo judex in causa sua,’ which prohibits entities from presiding over cases where they have vested interests, as a key reason for their boycott.
“The Nigerian Army, being a party involved in the matter, cannot impartially conduct an investigation or adjudication,” the statement read.
Olorogun Oghotomo, President of the Urhobo Youths Leaders Association, and Ughere, President of the UPU Youth Wing, argued that Okuama residents are not subject to military laws, rendering the military-led inquiry legally untenable for investigating civilian matters.
“It is our considered view that Okuama people are not subject to military laws. Therefore, a military-led inquiry lacks the legal authority to investigate civilians’ matters,” the statement added.
The groups demanded the unconditional release of the Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo kingdom and called for the apprehension and prosecution of the culprits responsible for the killings by the police. They also called on the Delta State government to facilitate the safe return of displaced Okuama residents and address the root causes of the conflict.
The statement criticized the composition of the military panel, alleging bias and lack of impartiality due to the Army’s previous actions, including declaring Okuama community leaders as “wanted.”
The groups also pointed out conflicting statements from the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, who initially attributed the incident to oil bunkering activities but later implicated both Okuama and Okoloba communities, raising questions about the Army’s credibility.
“For a fair and transparent inquiry, an independent body such as the Police should lead the investigation,” the groups urged, advocating for a commission of inquiry not set up by the Army.
The Urhobo leaders extended condolences to the Army over the loss of 17 officers and men, urging the military to investigate how the soldiers could lose their lives “so cheaply and tragically to civilians.”
The statement reads in full:
POSITION PAPER BY URHOBO PROGRESS UNION, (UPU) YOUTH WING WORLDWIDE AND URHOBO YOUTH LEADERS ASSOCIATION (UYLA) ON NON- PARTICIPATION IN THE MILITARY BOARD OF INQUIRY REGARDING THE OKUAMA INCIDENT
Following the invitation of Chief Edwin Uzor JP, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, to Activist Blessed Ughere, the President of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Youth Wing Worldwide and Chief Samuel Oghotomo JP, President, Urhobo Youths Leaders Association, we have taken a principled stance.
We will not participate in the Military Board of Inquiry
Investigating the tragic events of March 17 in Okuama, Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, until specific conditions are met.
We outline below the legal, ethical, and humanitarian reasons that inform our decision.
Doctrine of ‘Nemo judex in causa sua’ (No one should be a judge in their own case): The Nigerian Army, being a party involved in the matter, cannot impartially conduct an investigation or adjudication.
More so, when the Army have already taken position by declaring eight (8) persons wanted without inviting them for proper investigation. This fundamental principle of natural justice prohibits biased entities from presiding over cases where they have vested interests.
It is our considered view that Okuama people are not subject to military laws.
Therefore, a military-led inquiry lacks the legal authority to investigate civilians’ matters.
We demand that the culprits responsible for the gruesome killings be apprehended and handed over to the police for prosecution. We dissociate ourselves from these individuals, as it is not in our character as Urhobo people to take lives, let alone that of the Army who have been in the fore-front of keeping this nation secure and safe.
We call for the unconditional release of the Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo kingdom to his people. The Army should cease the harassment of Urhobo neighboring communities to Okuama.
Just yesterday the Army invaded Olota community, arrested community leaders and set houses ablaze and Okuama community still under siege while panel
of inquiry is ongoing.
The composition of the panel raises concerns about bias and impartiality. The military’s previous declarations and actions, including declaring Okuama community leaders as ‘wanted’ in various media outlets, undermine the credibility of the Board of Inquiry.
Additionally, conflicting statements from the Chief of Defense Staff, CDS General Christopher Musa further erode trust in the military’s ability to conduct a fair and unbiased investigation.
Initially attributing it to oil bunkering activities, the Army later implicated both Okuama and Okoloba communities. Such inconsistencies raise questions that an independent panel of inquiry should address.
For a fair and transparent inquiry, an independent body such as the Police should lead the investigation. A commission of inquiry, not set up by the Army, would ensure impartiality and adherence to the principles of natural justice.
The doctrine of ‘Nemo judex in causa sua’ underscores the necessity for the investigating authority to be composed of impartial individuals, free from bias and interference.
The Okuama community is currently displaced, making it impractical and unsafe for them to participate in the inquiry. The ongoing military cordon-and-search operation has further exacerbated the situation, causing immense hardship and insecurity for the displaced residents.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Army over the loss of 17 of her officers and men. We believe the Army should set up a panel of inquiry to investigate how the affected soldiers could lose their lives so cheaply and tragically to civilians.
We also call upon the Delta State government
to intervene and facilitate the safe return of Okuama residents to their homes, provide necessary humanitarian assistance, and address the root causes of the conflict.
Once again, the Urhobo Progress Union, Youth Wing Worldwide and the Urhobo Youths Leaders Association, stands firmly by its decision not to participate in the military-led Board of Inquiry.
We remain committed to justice, transparency, and the welfare of our people.
Olorogun Amb. Samuel Oghotomo JP.
President, Urhobo Youths Leaders
Activist Blessed Ughere
President, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Association
Youth Wing
