HURIWA decries media trial, seeks transparent probe in Enugu land row

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned what it described as a “media trial,” cyberbullying, and alleged torture of Enugu-based estate developer, Mr. Kingsley Nebo.

The group urged the Nigeria Police Force and relevant authorities to ensure fairness, transparency, and strict adherence to human rights in the ongoing investigation into the Etiti Ngwo land dispute.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, HURIWA portrayed Nebo as a legitimate businessman who lawfully purchased land from the Etiti Ngwo community but has since faced harassment, orchestrated framing, and online defamation allegedly driven by influential figures within the area.

According to the rights group, a petition from Nebo detailed a disturbing pattern of intimidation, abduction, and physical assault allegedly carried out by some community leaders intent on reclaiming land he legally bought.

“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 coordinated campaign of calumny against Nebo has persisted online, describing the social media narratives as one-sided and misleading. It denounced the “media trial,” calling it a gross 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 appealed to the Etiti Ngwo community to refrain from prejudicial commentary and allow the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Abuja to complete its work without interference. It also commended the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for prohibiting police involvement in land matters, describing the move as “a proactive and commendable step toward curbing abuses of office.”

However, HURIWA expressed concern over emerging claims that some Enugu State Government officials are allegedly plotting to deploy forest guards to seize disputed lands in Obeagu and Etiti Ngwo.

The group described such actions as unconstitutional, particularly while ownership cases remain before the courts.

“It is deeply troubling that reports indicate some elements within the Enugu State Government are plotting to use forest guards to take control of lands that are still under legal dispute. If true, this represents a direct affront to the rule of law and due process. The government must not deploy any coercive apparatus in civil disputes, particularly where ownership claims are before the court,” HURIWA cautioned.

The association also drew attention to a petition from the Obeagu community accusing certain state officials of coordinated land grabbing under the guise of public development. HURIWA described the alleged actions as “a gross abuse of power and a threat to the peace and property rights of indigenous people.”

The statement, signed by HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, further referenced petitions sent by the Obeagu community to Governor Peter Mbah and the Inspector-General of Police over what they called the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority’s (ECTDA) “renewed plot” to seize ancestral land.

In a protest letter dated October 6, 2025, and addressed to the ECTDA Chairman, the community expressed outrage over alleged marking of their structures for demolition by unidentified persons claiming to be officials of the authority.

“We were shocked, to say the least, when we observed a handful of persons who, without proper identification but upon our prodding later identified themselves as officials from your office, were sent to mark some of our structures for removal,” the community wrote.

“While we hope this is not a prelude to another round of demolition akin to the massive destruction and misery caused us by the very act of last year (2024), we still tenaciously hold the view that you acted deliberately to frustrate and render nugatory the prosecution of our pending suits,” the letter added.

The community reminded the ECTDA Chairman of ongoing court cases on the disputed lands, particularly Suit No. E/1081/2019 and E/263/2020, insisting both remain unresolved.

“Given all the processes and documents herein brought to your attention, you are now properly guided and well equipped to resist the temptation of taking further action or steps which are clearly subjudice and patently lawless,” the letter further read.
Another petition, dated October 5, 2025, and addressed to Governor Peter Mbah, raised an “S.O.S.” over alleged plans by the Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guard to deploy personnel for a “forceful takeover” of their communal land in concert with “vicious land grabbers.”

The community accused the commander of having a long history of “victimization and brutalization” during his time as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Enugu State Command.

HURIWA also cited the July 12, 2025, incident at Agu Ovollo Layout, Etiti Ngwo, where a youth, Mr. Sochima Onoh, was shot dead during a clash between youths from Etiti Ngwo and Atakwu communities, amid allegations of external sponsorship of the attack.

While commiserating with the bereaved family, HURIWA urged that such grave allegations be investigated lawfully rather than through public defamation. The association stressed that justice must never be compromised by mob sentiments or political interests.

“The sanctity of human life and the rule of law must be upheld at all times. While justice should be served for the deceased, it must never come at the expense of truth or fairness. Innocent people must not be sacrificed on the altar of vengeance or politics,” HURIWA concluded.