The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has been accused of unlawfully detaining Inspector Hycenth Oboh for over 18 months without trial, court order, or valid disciplinary sanction, despite his reported discharge and acquittal by an internal police panel.
Inspector Oboh has been held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Port Harcourt in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on June 18, 2024, at the Eberi-Omuma Local Government Council Secretariat in Rivers State. The incident resulted in the deaths of Inspector David Mgbada, a serving police officer, and Samuel Nwigwe, a civilian security operative attached to a local vigilante group.
Police sources disclosed that Oboh was arrested alongside 11 other officers shortly after the incident and subjected to investigations by the Homicide Department. The officers were later charged before an orderly room trial on three counts under the Police Act and Regulations: discreditable conduct, unlawful exercise of authority, and destruction of government property through alleged waste of ammunition, including AK-47 and GPMG rounds.
According to documents obtained by SaharaReporters, all the officers pleaded not guilty. During the proceedings, Inspector Oboh reportedly denied firing his weapon, stating that officers in black uniforms opened fire. He also tendered a medical report indicating exposure to tear gas. Other officers either denied firing or claimed they were not present, while one testified that Inspector Mgbada was shot after an order to fire but could not identify the shooter.
The internal disciplinary process reportedly ended on August 14, 2024, with eight officers, including Inspector Oboh, being discharged and acquitted. A senior police source said there was no indictment or conviction against Oboh following the trial.
However, police insiders alleged that the Rivers State Command later ordered a controversial retrial without introducing new evidence. During the second process, six officers were reportedly convicted and dismissed. While five of them were released, Inspector Oboh was allegedly kept in detention without explanation.
Sources further claimed that Oboh has not been arraigned before any court of competent jurisdiction and that no lawful detention order exists to justify his continued incarceration at the SCID. They described his prolonged detention as unlawful and unconstitutional.
There were also allegations of political interference in the case. A federal lawmaker, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu, who represents Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, was accused of influencing senior police officers to ensure Oboh remains in detention. The claims could not be independently verified, and efforts to obtain Nwogu’s response were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, sources said the prolonged detention has taken a heavy toll on Inspector Oboh’s family, with reports that his wife left with their children due to lack of support. Despite his detention, Oboh is said to have continued receiving his monthly salary, further raising questions about the handling of the case.
Human rights advocates and concerned police sources have called for Inspector Oboh’s immediate release or his arraignment before a competent court if there is credible evidence against him.
“You cannot acquit a man and then detain him indefinitely without a court order. This is a clear abuse of power and a violation of constitutional rights,” a human rights advocate familiar with the matter said.
Attempts to reach the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, for comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
