By Christiana Ekpa
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised the alarm over a plot to unleash political vendetta on the House of Representatives member for the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia State, Hon. Amobi Ogah (Labour Party).
HURIWA expressed worry over the charges brought recently against Hon. Ogah by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi which it alleged were part of a targeted vendetta orchestrated by the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, with the backing of her Justice counterpart.
HURIWA stressed that Ogah, who won the 2023 elections, defeating Hon. Onyejeocha, has been subjected to ongoing legal and political harassment since then with the latest incident, involving charges filed on July 31, 2024, accusing the lawmaker of false declaration under oath, publishing injurious falsehoods, perjury, and criminal defamation.
The rights group in a statement by its National Co-ordinator, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko said those accusations were baseless and fueled by a personal vendetta from Onyejeocha, with the alleged involvement of the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, who previously represented Onyejeocha in election-related legal matters.
It noted that the former lawmaker who served in the House of Representatives for 16 years before her 2023 defeat, has allegedly refused to accept her electoral loss.
“After unsuccessful attempts to overturn the election results through the Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, Hon. Onyejeocha, now serving as the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, is accused of using her former legal counsel, now the Minister of Justice, to pursue a vendetta against Hon. Ogah,” the group said.
HURIWA highlighted that a petition dated December 1, 2023, filed by Hon. Onyejeocha’s solicitor, accused Hon. Ogah of perjury and defamation during the election proceedings.
“This petition led to a police investigation, which HURIWA claims was biased, and the subsequent recommendation by the AGF’s office to file charges. HURIWA believes the legal opinion was tainted by the personal interests of the Minister of Justice,” it said.
