Emevor Assault: Isoko North Chair Backs Police Arrest, Prosecution of Community Leaders

The Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State, Godwin Ogorugba, has directed security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, to thoroughly investigate the widely circulated video depicting the alleged assault and dehumanisation of an Emevor indigene, Godspower Okedi.

The Chairman expressed deep concern over the incident, describing the alleged treatment meted out to the victim as unacceptable and inconsistent with the values of a civilised, peaceful, and law-abiding society. He stressed that no individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands, regardless of the circumstances.

Ogorugba called on the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation, and to ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law.

He appealed to the victim, Godspower Okedi, his family, and the people of Emevor Community, Isoko North Local government area of the state to remain calm and allow the appropriate authorities to conclude their investigations, assuring them that justice would be served through due process.

The council chairman also commended the people of Isoko North and other well meaning Nigerians who have condemned the incident and stood in defence of human dignity, justice, and the rule of law.

Ogorugba reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to protecting the fundamental rights of every resident of Isoko North, emphasising that his administration has zero tolerance for jungle justice, violence, intimidation, or any form of human rights abuse, and will continue to work closely with security agencies to ensure that peace, justice, security, and respect for the rule of law prevail across all communities within the local government area.

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Ogorugba further reiterated that no one is above the law and urged residents to always seek lawful means of resolving disputes, rather than resorting to self help or acts capable of undermining public peace and order.

Meanwhile, the Delta State Police Area Command in Ozoro has arraigned the chairman of Emevor Community in the state, Lucky Okeremu, alongside two other community leaders, for public flogging and assault of a resident, Ogaga Godspower Okedi, over critical comments he made online.

The defendants, 48-year-old Okeremu, 46-year-old Okiemute Oyibo, and 45-year-old Karo Akamakusi, were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ozoro, on a four count charge bordering on conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, and criminal intimidation.

According to the charge sheet marked MA/75/2026, filed by the Commissioner of Police through the Directorate of Legal Services, Area Command Headquarters, Ozoro, the three defendants allegedly acted in concert with others who are currently at large.

The police told the court that the accused persons, on or before July 5, 2026, at Emevor Community in Isoko North Local Government Area, conspired to commit the offence of assault occasioning harm, contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C.21, Volume 1, Laws of Delta State, 2006.

In the second count, prosecutors accused the defendants of severely assaulting Godspower by flogging him all over his body at Emiluck Hotel & Suite, Emevor, inflicting injuries on him in an offence punishable under Section 355 of the Criminal Code.

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The third count accused the defendants of conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of public peace by unlawfully assaulting the victim, contrary to Section 249(e) of the Criminal Code.

They were also accused in the fourth count of threatening the life of Godspower with the intent to intimidate or annoy him, an offence punishable under Section 86 of the Criminal Code.