*Urges the Police not to be influenced by those who oppress less privilege with their wealth
By Victor Lewis
A Civil Rights group, the Concern Of The Oppressed, COTO, has called on the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, to do the needful and obey the Order of Hon. Justice Joe Egwu of the State High Court sitting in Orerokpe, to release Mr. David Okpako who has been in Police custody for nearly one month on allegation of stealing.
The group also called on the Delta State Police Command to release the applicant forthwith pending the determination of the motion on notice fixed for March 31st, 2026, adding that the continuous detention of the applicant clearly violated the fundamental right of the applicant.
It would be recalled that Mr. David Okpako was arrested and detained by the Police from the Uvwie Area Command, Ekpan, on 2/03/2026 on allegation of stealing that took place in an uncompleted filling station along Effurun-Sapele Road, owned by the Agbarha Warri monarch, HRM Kingsley Orere.
The human right group in a statement, recalled that when Mr. David was granted bail after nine days or so, the so-called monarch caused his second arrest by men of the Delta State Police Command from, State headquarters, Asaba, adding that he has since remained in the custody of the Nigeria at Police headquarters, Asaba at the instance of the Royal Father who has allegedly vowed to continue to violate the fundamental right of the applicant.
This prompted his lawyer to file an ex-parte motion to enforce the fundamental right of Mr. David Okpako, an application which was granted and an order for his release from detention pending the determination of the motion on notice slated for 31st of March, 2026.
The group however observed that contrary to the court order for the release Mr. David Okpako on bail, the State Legal Officer, Directorate of Legal Services, Delta Police Command, CSP Gladys (Ekpahuemu) Imegu filed contrary Motion Ex-parte urging the Orerokpe High Court for an order to extend the detention of Mr. David Okpako in Asaba to allegedly conclude investigation.
The human right group noted that this latest motion Ex-parte from the office of the Legal Officer at the State Police Command is at the instance of the influence of the Royal Father who, it has been alleged, to have boasted he will deal with the applicant.
According to the human right group the alleged offence of stealing is a bailable offence, adding that it is the duty of the Nigerian Police to pursue justice and comply relevant Court decisions in the interest of peace and order in the society.
The group charged the State Commissioner of Police not to cave in to the influence of a few Deltans who think they can intimidate with their wealth.
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