The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has expressed concern over the recent charges brought against House of Representatives member, Hon. Amobi Ogah (Labour Party), by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
HURIWA alleges that the charges are 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 claims that Ogah, who won the 2023 elections, has been subjected to ongoing legal and political harassment since then. The latest incident involves charges filed on July 31, 2024, accusing the lawmaker of false declaration under oath, publishing injurious falsehoods, perjury, and criminal defamation.
HURIWA believes that the accusations are baseless and fueled by a personal vendetta from Onyejeocha, with the alleged involvement of the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi. HURIWA notes that Onyejeocha has refused to accept her electoral loss and is using her former legal counsel, now the Minister of Justice, to pursue a vendetta against Ogah.
HURIWA has called for an investigation into the AGF’s office activities related to this case and urged the Minister of Justice to stop using his position to further personal vendettas. The association has also pledged to continue monitoring the situation and take necessary steps to protect Hon. Amobi Ogah from what it considers a politically motivated attack.
HURIWA stated: “The use of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and other public offices to settle scores against perceived opponents and as an instrument of self-serving vendetta, portends grave danger to members of the general public and indeed our democracy.
“It has come to our knowledge that the office of the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation & Minister for Justice recently filed a criminal Charge against Hon. Amobi Ogah in the FCT High Court on 31/7/2024 for alleged publication of injurious falsehood and defamation of the character of Nkeiru Onyejeocha the Minister of State for Labour & Productivity.
“The Charge with Charge No: CR/650/2024: Federal Republic of Nigeria Vs Amobi Godwin Ogah is not unconnected with Nkeiru Onyejeocha’s running battle to undermine Hon. Amobi Ogah since he emerged as the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, at the last 2023 general elections.
“Since her defeat both at the polls and in Court, Nkeiru Onyejeocha has refused to let the sleeping dogs lie and has continually dragged Hon. Amobi Ogah from one Court or Police Station to another over an allegation that her character was defamed by Hon. Amobi Ogah in a Petition which he addressed to the President of the Court of Appeal during the pendency of the Election Tribunal hearing.”
