From Godwin Tsa Abuja
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the ongoing media trial, cyberbullying, and alleged torture of Enugu-based estate developer, Kingsley Nebo, urging the Nigeria Police Force and relevant authorities to ensure fairness, transparency, and protection of human rights in the ongoing investigation into the Etiti Ngwo land dispute.
While condemning the ongoing media trial, cyber bullying and alleged torture of Enugu-based estate developer, Kingsley Nebo, the group described him as a legitimate businessman who lawfully acquired landed property from the Etiti Ngwo community.
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In a statement yesterday, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said he received a detailed petition from Nebo outlining a disturbing pattern of intimidation, abduction, and physical assault by some community leaders seeking to reclaim land he had lawfully purchased.
“According to the petition, Nebo was abducted and tortured for two weeks by operatives at the SWAT office in Enugu, before being forced to sign a pre-written confession under duress.
He alleged that some community leaders participated in the physical torture, video-recorded the assault, and later circulated the clips on social media to smear his name. Following a comprehensive investigation, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Department (FID), DIG Nebolisa Benjamin Okolo, reportedly exonerated him and ordered his release,” HURIWA disclosed.
Despite this, HURIWA lamented that a deliberate campaign of calumny continues against Nebo, with unverified and one-sided narratives being circulated online to mislead the public and manipulate perceptions. The group strongly condemned the social media trial and called for an immediate end to the cyberbullying and defamation of Nebo’s character, describing the act as a violation of his constitutional rights.
“We condemn in unequivocal terms the media trial being orchestrated against Mr. Kingsley Nebo. Those disseminating falsehoods about an active investigation must desist immediately. This reckless cyberbullying not only endangers the life of an innocent man but also undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system,” HURIWA warned.
The Association further appealed to the Etiti Ngwo community to refrain from prejudicial commentary and allow the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Abuja, which is handling the case, to conclude its investigation without external influence. HURIWA also commended the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for banning police involvement in land-related matters, describing it as a “proactive and commendable step toward curbing abuses of office.”
The rights group, however, expressed concern over emerging allegations that some officials in the Enugu State Government are attempting to deploy forest guards to take over disputed lands in parts of the state, including Obeagu and Etiti Ngwo communities.
The post HURIWA condemns media trial, demands probe of Enugu land dispute appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
