Inspector Oboh has been held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Port Harcourt, in connection with a fatal shooting incident that occurred on June 18, 2024, at the Eberi-Omuma Local Government Council Secretariat, Rivers State, where two people were killed during a crossfire.
The Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has been accused of unlawfully detaining a serving police officer, Inspector Hycenth Oboh, for over one year and six months, approximately 568 days, without trial, court order, or valid disciplinary sanction.
Inspector Oboh has been held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Port Harcourt, in connection with a fatal shooting incident that occurred on June 18, 2024, at the Eberi-Omuma Local Government Council Secretariat, Rivers State, where two people were killed during a crossfire.
Those killed in the incident were identified as Inspector David Mgbada, a serving police officer, and Samuel Nwigwe, a civilian security operative attached to a local vigilante group.
Despite being discharged and acquitted during an internal police disciplinary process, Oboh has remained in detention since August 2024, raising serious concerns over alleged violations of his constitutional rights to liberty and fair hearing.
Detention Without Trial
Police sources told SaharaReporters that Inspector Oboh was arrested alongside 11 other officers shortly after the incident and subjected to investigations by the Homicide Department under Inspector Festus, CSP Udeme Willie, and DCP Abubakar.
“He was arrested on June 18, 2024, with 11 others over allegations of murder. Investigations were concluded, and all the officers were subjected to an orderly room trial,” a senior police source disclosed.
According to documents obtained by SaharaReporters, the officers were arraigned on three counts under the Police Act and Regulations, including discreditable conduct, unlawful exercise of authority, and destruction of government property through the alleged waste of ammunition such as AK-47 and GPMG rounds.
Count One accused them of discreditable conduct for allegedly engaging in crossfire that turned the council secretariat into what prosecutors described as a “battle ground.”
Count Two alleged unlawful exercise of authority, accusing some officers of using excessive force that resulted in the fatal shooting of Inspector Mgbada and Samuel Nwigwe.
Count Three accused the officers of damaging government property through the waste of ammunition, including AK-47 and GPMG rounds, as well as smoke canisters.
All the officers pleaded not guilty.
Inspector Hycent Oboh, attached to the Rivers State Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, claimed officers in black uniforms fired into the premises. He denied firing his weapon and tendered a medical report showing teargas exposure.
Other officers 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 trial reportedly ended with eight officers, including Inspector Oboh, being discharged and acquitted on August 14, 2024.
“After the first departmental trial, Inspector Oboh was cleared. There was no indictment, no conviction, nothing,” the source said.
Controversial Retrial and Continued Detentio
However, police sources allege that the Rivers State Command later ordered a retrial, allegedly without presenting new evidence.
“He was retried by CSP Dawn Eremie. Six officers were convicted and dismissed. Five of them were released immediately, but Inspector Oboh was kept back in detention without explanation,” another source stated.
The sources further alleged that Oboh has not been arraigned before any court of competent jurisdiction, nor has there been any valid detention order authorising his continued incarceration at SCID.
“There is no court order, no fresh charge, no lawful justification. He has simply been abandoned in detention,” a police insider said.
Sources also alleged political interference in the case, accusing a federal lawmaker, Hon. Kelechi Nwogu, who represents Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, of influencing senior police officers to ensure Oboh remains detained.
“Honourable Nwogu was allegedly the political principal the officers were attached to on that day. There are strong claims that he has been bribing senior officers to make sure Inspector Oboh is kept behind bars so that he won’t testify or be fully investigated,” the source alleged.
These claims could not be independently verified, and Nwogu had not responded to requests for comment as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the prolonged detention has reportedly devastated Inspector Oboh’s family.
“This detention has shattered his home. His wife reportedly left with the children because there was no care, no support. He is still receiving salary, but he is rotting in a cell,” the source said.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that despite being detained over a murder investigation, Inspector Oboh had continued to receive his monthly salary, further highlighting inconsistencies in the handling of the case.
Human rights advocates and police sources are now calling for Inspector Oboh’s immediate release or arraignment before a court if there is credible evidence against him.
“You cannot acquit a man, detain him endlessly, and still call it justice. This is a clear abuse of power and a violation of the Constitution,” a human rights advocate familiar with the case said.
Efforts to speak with the state command's spokesperson CSP Grace Iringe-Koko were unsuccessful as she did not answer her calls as at the time of filing this report.