Kevin Okorie, a Rivers State-based lawyer illegally detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Abuja, has been released.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) confirmed his release on Saturday.
FIJ reported how the Nigerian Navy arrested Okorie in Port Harcourt on September 10 and secretly transferred him to Abuja without disclosing his offence or informing his family of his whereabouts.
He had spent exactly four months in illegal detention before his release.
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“In a significant development, Kelvin (sic) Okorie has been released from police custody following the intervention of the National Litigation Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA),” the NBA stated.
“Okorie, who had initially been detained by the Nigerian Navy, was transferred to the Nigerian Police earlier today, January 11, 2025, following direct intervention by the NBA. The intervention came after a high-level visit by the President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, to the Chief of Defence Staff on Wednesday, January 7, 2025.
“During this meeting, Mazi Afam Osigwe made a formal demand for Okorie’s immediate release, emphasizing that if he was to be accused of any crime, he should be formally charged in court. This demand led to Okorie’s transfer to police custody and his eventual release.
“The NBA’s National Litigation Committee, which played a key role in ensuring Okorie’s release, had members present at the police station during the event. Among them were B.O. Nafagha and Israel Elijah, alongside the committee’s secretary, Isah Abubakar Aliyu.”
READ ALSO: Court Grants N10m Bail to Port Harcourt Lawyer Illegally Detained by Navy for 106 Days
The NBA also said that Okorie had been reunited with his family.
“Mr Aliyu confirmed that Okorie has been successfully reunited with his family. This swift and effective intervention underscores the critical role of the NBA in defending legal rights and upholding the rule of law in Nigeria,” the body said.
“It serves as a reminder of the association’s commitment to ensuring that due process is followed and that no individual is unjustly detained without formal charges or legal recourse. The NBA’s actions in this matter further highlight its ongoing dedication to promoting justice and human rights across the country.”
Esther, Okorie’s wife, had told FIJ on January 3 that her husband had been granted N10 million bail with a surety. However, the information was passed to her by a third party as neither the Navy nor the DIA communicated with the family or allowed the lawyer access to them.
The post Kevin Okorie, Lawyer Illegally Detained by DIA, Released After 4 Months appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.