Civil Society Coalition Accuses Ebonyi Government of Rights Violations Over Activist’s Detention

The Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS), a coalition of civil society organisations, has sounded the alarm over what it describes as a growing crackdown on civic freedoms in Ebonyi State. The group particularly condemned the prolonged detention of one of its members, Emmanuel Acha, who has been held without bail for over three months.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos, AGFCS representative, Okechukwu Nwagunma, disclosed that Acha, the Chairman of the Enugu State Civil Society Network, was forcefully taken from his Enugu home in April 2025 by police officers allegedly acting without a warrant. He was later transferred to Abakaliki Prison.

According to Nwagunma, Acha’s arrest is believed to be linked to a fundamental human rights suit he filed in December 2024 (Suit No: FHC/AI/CS/FHR/221/24), which challenges state actions regarding the long-standing Effium-Ezza land conflict in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The Effium-Ezza crisis, which erupted into violent clashes in 2021, has seen a range of state-led peace efforts, including the 2023 ceasefire, the 2024 Bishop Michael Okoro Peace Committee, and a 2025 amnesty and deradicalization initiative.

“While we acknowledge these interventions,” Nwagunma said, “we reject the abuse of state power to suppress dissent. Instead of addressing Acha’s legal challenge transparently, the state opted for repression — detaining him without bail and charging him under dubious grounds.”

He further claimed that Acha is facing a court case (Charge No: HKW/27C/2025) on serious charges such as unlawful possession of arms and murder. Alarmingly, the case is being tried before a judge alleged to be from the rival ethnic community in the conflict, raising concerns about impartiality.

AGFCS also alleged that Acha suffered physical and psychological abuse during arrest, reportedly inflicted by police officers, including one from the Ezza ethnic group. No evidence of wrongdoing was found at the time of arrest, and no judicial warrant was issued, the group maintained.

“These actions breach the Nigerian Constitution — particularly Sections 34, 35, and 39 — which uphold the rights to dignity, personal liberty, and freedom of expression,” Nwagunma stated.

He concluded that Acha’s continued detention without proper medical care or legal redress represents “a clear case of political persecution disguised as criminal prosecution,” and called for his immediate release and respect for rule of law.