The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has told Minister of Women Affairs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha that it is taking too long for her to accept the outcome of the 2023 House of Representatives election.
Onyejeocha contested Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State against Amobi Ogah, who won the election that has since been settled by the court.
The human rights association is reacting to recent charges filed against Ogah by the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, which the association claims are part of a calculated vendetta against the lawmaker.
Arogidigba Global Journal reports that President Bola Tinubu appointed Onyejeocha as the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity.
HURIWA, in a press statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, noted that Ogah has since 2023 been subjected to what it described as a relentless campaign of harassment and legal persecution.
Arogidigba Global Journal understands that Charge No: CR/650/2024, dated July 31, 2024 has been filed against the lawmaker by the AGF’s office accusing him of false declaration under oath, publication of injurious falsehood, perjury and criminal defamation.
HURIWA sai the charges stemmed from a personal vendetta by Onyejeocha with the support of the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, who served as her legal counsel during the election petition proceedings.
Recall that Onyejeocha had served as a member of the House of Representatives for 16 years before her defeat in 2023, and HURIWA wonders what could be her reason for not accepting her electoral loss and focus on her new role as a Minister while waiting for another opportunity come 2027.
The rights group frowned that after losing at both the Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, Onyejeocha allegedly enlisted the help of her former legal counsel to orchestrate a campaign against Hon. Ogah.
“In a detailed petition dated December 1, 2023, Hon. Onyejeocha accused Hon. Ogah of making false statements under oath and defaming her character during the 2023 Election Petition Proceedings. The petition, filed by her solicitor, requested the Inspector General of Police to investigate and prosecute Hon. Ogah,” and the case was referred to the AGF’s office for legal advice.
The rights group argued that the subsequent legal opinion, which recommended filing charges against Ogah, was allegedly influenced by the personal interests of the Minister of Justice, who was deeply involved in the original election petition as Hon. Onyejeocha’s legal representative.
The association said it was particularly concerned that the Minister of Justice, who recently appeared at HURIWA’s annual Human Rights Lecture and pledged to uphold the rule of law and due process, is now allegedly using his office to settle political scores against Ogah.
HURIWA is also alarmed by what it perceives as an abuse of public office by both the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity and the Minister of Justice.
The association asserted “that the charges against Ogah is a clear example of political persecution, driven by Hon. Onyejeocha’s refusal to accept her electoral defeat and her determination to tarnish the reputation of her successor through legal harassment”.
HURIWA further expressed deep disappointment with the role of the Nigeria Police Force in this saga, describing their involvement in the framing of Ogah as a “colossal disgrace”.