“Release Ezekiel Daniel Now!” — Niger Delta Ex-Agitator Challenges Police Over Bail, Demands Probe Of Tompolo And Tantita Allegations

By Passman Akpos

A former Niger Delta agitator, Gen. Sunday Obioma, has called on the Inspector-General of Police to order the immediate release of Niger Delta activist Apostle Ezekiel Daniel Perela Osia, alleging that the activist remains in custody despite reportedly fulfilling his bail conditions.

Obioma also urged the Presidency and relevant security agencies to independently investigate serious allegations made by Daniel concerning Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and individuals allegedly associated with them.

Daniel has previously made allegations involving alleged unlawful detention, kidnapping, torture, forced labour and killings in parts of the Niger Delta. Those allegations have not been established by a court, and the persons and organisations named have the right to respond and to due process.

The latest development comes amid continuing controversy over Daniel’s detention in Abuja. Reports published in recent days indicate that the activist was picked up from his residence in Life Camp, Abuja, and subsequently taken into police custody.

Obioma Demands Immediate Release

In a statement on the matter, Obioma appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to direct the Police Cybercrime Division at Force Headquarters, Abuja, to respect Daniel’s reported bail conditions.

According to him, the continued detention of Daniel, if he has indeed satisfied the conditions imposed for his release, raises questions about the manner in which police powers are being exercised.

Obioma argued that where a suspect has met lawful bail requirements, the police should either release the individual in accordance with the applicable conditions or take the matter before a competent court where further detention or prosecution is legally justified.

“The Cybercrime Police Station is not the court, and they gave him bail conditions which he has met. It is proper for the police to let him go or charge him to court for the law to take effect,” Obioma said.

His position comes shortly after reports that Daniel’s lawyers were considering legal action over his continued detention following the reported fulfilment of revised bail requirements.

‘Why Keep The Man Who Made The Allegations?’

Obioma questioned what he described as an apparent imbalance in the handling of the controversy.

He asked why an individual who has made allegations of serious wrongdoing should remain in detention while the allegations themselves are not subjected to what he described as a transparent and impartial investigation.

“You cannot keep a man who is fighting against injustice in the region while those he accused are working freely,” Obioma said.

He maintained that the appropriate response to serious allegations should be investigation and, where evidence exists, prosecution through the courts.

Calls For Probe Into Tompolo, Tantita

The former agitator also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and relevant security agencies to investigate allegations concerning Tompolo, Tantita and their associates.

He urged the authorities to establish the facts surrounding the allegations through an independent investigation rather than allowing the controversy to remain a battle of competing claims.

Daniel has previously accused individuals linked to the Niger Delta security environment of allegedly operating unlawful detention facilities and engaging in abuses including torture and forced labour. Tarakirivoice has reported those claims while noting that they remain allegations requiring independent verification.

The allegations have generated counterclaims and denials from persons and groups defending Tompolo and Tantita, making an impartial investigation particularly significant if the authorities are to establish what actually occurred.

Serious Allegations Require Evidence

Obioma’s call places two separate but connected issues before the authorities: the immediate legal status of Daniel and the substantive allegations he has raised concerning activities in the Niger Delta.

The allegations involving Tompolo, Tantita and their associates are serious and cannot properly be treated as established facts without evidence and due process.

Likewise, allegations concerning police misconduct or unlawful detention should be investigated rather than presumed to be established.

Recent reporting shows that the controversy surrounding Daniel has already attracted wider attention, with rights groups and civil society organisations calling for his release and for investigation of the allegations he raised.

Police Leadership Under Pressure To Clarify

Obioma specifically called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the conduct of officers responsible for Daniel’s continued detention and determine whether the reported bail conditions have been satisfied.

He also urged the police leadership to establish whether any officer acted outside the law and to take appropriate action if wrongdoing is established.

For Obioma, the central issue is not whether Daniel should be presumed right or wrong, but whether allegations of criminal conduct should be tested through lawful investigation and judicial proceedings.

The controversy now leaves several questions for the authorities:

Has Ezekiel Daniel fully satisfied the bail conditions reportedly imposed on him?

If so, why does he remain in custody?

If the police believe further detention is legally justified, why has the matter not been taken before a competent court?

Will the authorities independently investigate the serious allegations Daniel has made concerning Tompolo, Tantita and their associates?

And will any person found culpable after investigation face prosecution regardless of status or influence?

Until competent authorities establish the facts, all allegations remain allegations and all persons accused remain entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence.

Obioma nevertheless urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Presidency and relevant security agencies to act transparently and ensure that the dispute is resolved through the law rather than prolonged detention, political pressure or competing public accusations.