A lawyer, Bright Iluobe, along with family members of Collins Aigbogun, former Special Adviser on Youth Mobilisation (Edo Central) to Governor Monday Okpebholo, has expressed concern over Aigbogun’s continued detention, 16 days after his arrest following the violent anti-kidnapping protest in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, on January 10.
The family lamented that while all those who actively participated in the protest have been released, Aigbogun — who was only accused of having prior knowledge of the protest — remains in police custody.
Addressing a press conference in Benin City, Iluobe alleged that political interests may be behind his client’s prolonged detention, noting that Aigbogun was first arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) before being transferred to the police.
“The continued detention of our client raises grave constitutional and legal concerns,” Iluobe said. “From our findings, this arrest appears to be part of a recurring pattern of harassment intended to diminish our client’s political influence and silence his legitimate civic engagement.
“We are not attempting to try this matter in the media but to call attention to the fact that where liberty is restrained, the law must speak clearly and act promptly. In a constitutional democracy, the powers of the State, though broad, are not unlimited. Personal liberty is a right — not a privilege — and can only be curtailed in strict accordance with due process.”
He also dismissed allegations linking the Edo State Governor to Aigbogun’s ordeal, expressing confidence that Governor Okpebholo would not condone any unlawful or prolonged detention without due process.
Aigbogun’s wife, Vivian, tearfully appealed to the governor to intervene, saying the family has been traumatized since his arrest.
“I am appealing to the governor, who is our father, to see my husband as a son and call for his release,” she said. “I was informed of his arrest over the phone and couldn’t see him until he was moved to the police. We hear he’s being accused of instigating the protest, yet everyone else arrested has been released. I have a two-month-old baby and this has been very hard for us.”
Similarly, Aigbogun’s elder brother, Tom, said their mother has been deeply affected by the prolonged detention, describing it as emotionally draining for the entire family.
