By Abdullateef Bamgbose

The spectacle witnessed in Otukpo on October 30, 2026, was more than a ceremony. It was a powerful commentary on the state of political leadership and public service in Benue South.
For decades, the General Hospital, Otukpo, built in the early 1970s, has shared a boundary with Jesus College, Otukpo, and Ikobi village. The residents and students around the hospital have not only shared its physical boundaries; they have also shared the pains associated with it—the wailing of bereaved families, the blaring sirens of ambulances and the movement of hearses whenever patients die.

But on October 30, the familiar atmosphere of mourning was temporarily replaced by dancing, singing and celebration.

Chief Godwin Obla, SAN, alongside Abuja-based engineer Agaba Ikwue and other philanthropists, brought hope to a community accustomed to grief.

Women danced. People sang. The hospital premises became a place of celebration rather than mourning.
The symbolism could not have been more powerful: where politicians have repeatedly promised, private citizens are delivering. Where political leaders have sought votes, philanthropists have provided services.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Agida, reportedly confirmed the scale of the transformation, recalling that when he assumed office about two years ago, there was virtually nothing on the ground.

The conversion of the General Hospital into a teaching hospital and the establishment of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, represented a historic development for Benue South and Idomaland.

Many politicians, from former Senate President David Mark to Senator Abba Moro, can legitimately point to legislative efforts that contributed to the establishment of the university.
But legislation alone does not constitute service.
Passing a bill, securing political approval or taking credit for the establishment of an institution cannot be the end of leadership. The real test begins when the institution requires infrastructure, equipment, personnel and sustained support to serve the people.

That is where the political class appears to have failed woefully.

While Chief Obla, Agaba Ikwue, Adapoyi and other individuals were commissioning a paediatric unit, amenity facilities and children’s wards built through private intervention, many politicians were busy preparing for the 2027 elections.

The question is unavoidable: where are the politicians when the people need them?

Where are the serving and former senators? Where are the serving and former members of the House of Representatives? Where are the local government chairmen, serving and former? Where are the political leaders who have spent decades asking these same people for their votes?
The absence of prominent political figures at an event of such importance speaks volumes.

Senator David Mark’s absence, in particular, was noticeable given his long political association with Benue South and his 16 years in the Senate, including eight years as President of the Senate.
The same question applies to Senator Abba Moro, who has consistently highlighted his role in the legislative process that culminated in the
establishment of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo.
If political leaders can claim credit for institutions, they should also be prepared to take responsibility for ensuring that those institutions function effectively.
Leadership cannot be reduced to commissioning ceremonies, political rallies, campaign posters and election-day promises.
The irony is particularly painful in a state confronting insecurity, poor infrastructure and inadequate healthcare.

Even the arrival of the 35 Artillery Brigade in Otukpo, which should have been a major security development for the people, reportedly required private individuals, including General Adoga and Chief Godwin Obla, to provide accommodation and other facilities for the brigade’s take-off.

This raises a fundamental question about the meaning of public service.
If individuals can provide hospital wards, equip medical facilities, support security formations and invest their personal resources in communities, what exactly are elected representatives doing with the enormous political influence and public resources entrusted to them?

The answer cannot always be another election.
The people of Zone C deserve more than politicians who appear only when elections are approaching.
They deserve representatives who will be present when hospitals are struggling, when schools lack facilities, when communities are threatened by insecurity and when young people have no opportunities.

They deserve leaders who understand that political office is a responsibility, not an inheritance.

It is therefore difficult not to condemn the attitude of politicians who spend years in public office but become suddenly visible only when they need another mandate.

The 2027 elections should not be another season of empty promises.
Politicians seeking the votes of the people of Benue South should first explain what they have done with the mandates they previously received.

They should tell the people how many hospitals they built, how many schools they equipped, how many communities they supported and how many lives they transformed—not merely how many political rallies they attended.

The lesson from Otukpo on October 30 is clear.
Service does not always require a political office.
Chief Godwin Obla, Agaba Ikwue and others demonstrated that individuals can make meaningful interventions when they choose to put humanity above politics.
And perhaps the most embarrassing part for the political class is this:
In a place known for death and mourning, ordinary citizens came together and made hope dance—while many politicians were busy dancing around the next election.

Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko addressing yhe Press

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Inspector-General of Police to institute an independent investigation into serious allegations of professional misconduct against CSP Omar John Sini, Head of Investigation, Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Products Theft, over the alleged unlawful interception of the vessel MT. THOR, the arrest and prosecution of four maintenance personnel, prolonged detention, disregard of police directives and a reported attempt to dispose of the vessel despite pending court proceedings.

Briefing the Media on the matter on Friday , HURIWA national coordinator,Emmanuel Onwubiko said the call follows a formal petition dated October 26, 2026, submitted to the Inspector-General of Police by the law firm of P. O. Onucheyo and S. D. Omede, acting for MT. THOR. The petition raises concerns about the circumstances surrounding the interception of the vessel at Koko, Warri, Delta State, on December 15, 2025, and requests an impartial investigation into the conduct of CSP Sini and other officers who may have been involved.
HURIWA considers the allegations sufficiently serious to warrant urgent institutional attention, particularly because they touch on the authority of the courts, the integrity of criminal investigations, the treatment of persons accused of offences and the preservation of property involved in pending litigation.
The association stresses that the allegations in the petition are yet to be independently established and must be investigated fairly. However, neither the seriousness of the accusations against the police officer nor the questions raised about the treatment of the four maintenance workers should be ignored.
ALLEGED INTERCEPTION OF VESSEL UNDER JUDICIAL CUSTODY
According to the petition, MT. THOR was being towed under Marine Police escort to a safe location at the Marine Police Jetty in Warri on December 15, 2025. The lawyers maintained that the vessel was then under the custody of the Admiralty Marshal of the Federal High Court, Warri Judicial Division, and that the movement was intended to preserve the vessel and protect it from possible damage.
The petition alleged that CSP Sini and officers associated with the Special Prosecution Team, operating from Artillery, Port Harcourt, intervened and caused the vessel to be intercepted and arrested despite the Marine Police escort and its reported judicial custody.
HURIWA believes the circumstances demand a clear explanation from the police hierarchy. The Inspector-General should establish the intelligence available to the officers, the specific criminal evidence relied upon to justify the intervention, the status of the vessel’s judicial custody and whether applicable court orders or judicial authorisation were required and obtained.
The petition itself acknowledges that judicial custody does not automatically prevent lawful criminal investigation. The issue, therefore, is whether the particular interception was carried out within the law and in accordance with any applicable judicial directives.
HURIWA insists that police powers must be exercised transparently and within established legal limits, particularly when an operation involves property already subject to court proceedings.
FOUR MAINTENANCE WORKERS ARRESTED AND PROSECUTED
The petition identified four persons arrested following the interception of MT. THOR and subsequently charged over alleged illegal dealings in petroleum products and crude oil theft. They are Ebor Eric Kessiena, John Atawo Lawrence, Godwin Okpaje and Mukaila Sarumi.
Their lawyers maintained that the four men had been engaged by the vessel’s owner or authorised representatives to pump accumulated water from the engine room to prevent the vessel from flooding or sinking. They disputed the allegation that the workers were involved in crude oil theft or illegal petroleum trading.
The petition further questioned the chronology of the investigation, alleging that an analysis attributed to CSP Sini was dated December 12, 2025, three days before the interception and arrests on December 15.
The lawyers described this sequence as deeply questionable and asked the Inspector-General to examine the circumstances in which the analysis was conducted, the material upon which it was based and whether the findings were used to justify arrests before the relevant facts had been properly established.
HURIWA considers this a critical aspect of the petition that deserves forensic and documentary scrutiny. Investigative findings must be supported by credible evidence, and any material capable of supporting the defence of an accused person must receive proper consideration in accordance with the law.
The association therefore urges the police authorities to establish the precise duties performed by the four men, examine the evidence against each individual and determine whether their reported dewatering assignment was properly investigated before criminal allegations were pursued.
SIX MONTHS OF DETENTION RAISES HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS
The petition alleged that the four maintenance personnel were deprived of their liberty for more than six months at the Okere Correctional Centre in Warri, Delta State, in connection with the proceedings.
The lawyers requested a comprehensive verification of the dates of arrest, arraignment, remand, bail and release, alongside the legal basis for every period of detention.
HURIWA considers the allegation grave because prolonged detention without adequate legal justification raises fundamental questions about personal liberty, due process and the protection of human rights.
The association emphasises that the presumption of innocence must remain meaningful throughout criminal proceedings. Persons accused of offences are entitled to fair treatment, while investigating authorities have a responsibility to ensure that detention and prosecution are supported by lawful grounds.
HURIWA calls for a thorough review of the detention records and court proceedings to establish whether the rights of the four men were respected and whether any unlawful conduct occurred.
Where evidence establishes violations of fundamental rights, appropriate remedies and accountability should follow.
DID CSP SINI DISREGARD FORCE INTELLIGENCE DIRECTIVES?
Another major allegation in the petition concerns correspondence reportedly issued by the Force Intelligence Department (FID) requesting the transfer or coordination of the investigation involving MT. THOR.
The lawyers alleged that CSP Sini disregarded the request and continued with the prosecution.
HURIWA is calling on the Inspector-General to obtain and examine the original correspondence, establish its legal and command status, and determine whether any lawful directive from superior police authorities was ignored.
The association maintains that the Nigeria Police Force must operate within a coherent chain of command. Where disagreements arise over investigative jurisdiction, case management or operational instructions, such disputes should be resolved through established procedures rather than through actions that could undermine institutional accountability.
The investigation should establish the facts, including whether the FID communication constituted a binding directive and whether any subsequent instruction altered the position.
ALLEGED PLAN TO AUCTION OR DISPOSE OF MT. THOR
HURIWA is particularly concerned by the petition’s allegation that steps may be underway to auction, sell or otherwise dispose of MT. THOR while litigation involving the vessel remains pending.
The lawyers specifically referenced Suit No. FHC/W/CS/65/2024, between EBENCO GLOBAL LINK LTD. and the vessel MT. THOR and others, as one of the proceedings in which the matter remains before the court.
The petition further alleged that associates of CSP Sini might benefit from a proposed disposal, although the lawyers expressly stated that this allegation had not been established as fact.
HURIWA calls for an urgent investigation into whether any valuation, auction instruction, advertisement, proposed sale, prospective purchaser or financial interest exists in relation to the vessel. The police authorities should also establish whether any disposal has been authorised by a competent court or other lawful authority.
The association demands that the vessel be preserved and that no police-facilitated sale or disposal be allowed to contravene any subsisting court order. The status quo should be maintained to the extent required by applicable judicial directives while the substantive proceedings remain unresolved.
HURIWA warns that any substantiated attempt to use police authority to influence the outcome of a commercial dispute or facilitate an unauthorised transfer of disputed property would raise serious accountability concerns.
However, the association insists that these allegations must be investigated on the strength of documentary evidence, not speculation or assumption.
ALLEGED DISCIPLINARY QUERIES AND INVOCATION OF NATIONAL SECURITY CONNECTIONS
The petition also raised questions about disciplinary queries reportedly issued to CSP Sini, which the lawyers alleged had remained unanswered for more than six months.
It further alleged that the officer had invoked an association with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in a manner that purportedly suggested exemption from ordinary police supervision.
The lawyers requested verification of the alleged queries, CSP Sini’s current deployment and reporting line, and whether any lawful instruction had been disregarded.
Importantly, the petition stated that it was not alleging that the Office of the National Security Adviser authorised or condoned any wrongdoing.
The lawyers also referred to an order reportedly issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, presided over by Justice Daylop Pam, directing the arrest and production of CSP Sini in connection with alleged violations of the fundamental rights of the four vessel personnel.
HURIWA calls on the Inspector-General to obtain the relevant court records, verify the terms and current status of the order and establish whether it was complied with or remains outstanding.
The association stresses that no police officer should be beyond lawful supervision or accountability. Equally, allegations concerning disciplinary proceedings, command directives and judicial orders must be verified against the relevant records before conclusions are reached.
HURIWA’S DEMANDS TO THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE
In view of the issues raised in the petition, HURIWA calls on the Inspector-General of Police to:
Constitute an independent panel to investigate the interception of MT. THOR on December 15, 2025, including the towing operation, Marine Police escort and reported custody of the Admiralty Marshal.
Obtain certified copies of the relevant court orders, Marine Police records and operational documents to determine whether the interception complied with applicable laws and judicial directives.
Review the arrests, evidence, detention and prosecution of Ebor Eric Kessiena, John Atawo Lawrence, Godwin Okpaje and Mukaila Sarumi, including their reported maintenance duties and any potentially exculpatory evidence.
Subject the analysis dated December 12, 2025, attributed to CSP Sini, to appropriate scrutiny to establish its origin, methodology, evidential basis and relationship to the subsequent arrests.
Obtain and review the Force Intelligence Department’s correspondence and determine whether any lawful directive concerning the investigation was disregarded.
Immediately establish whether any auction, sale or disposal of MT. THOR has been proposed or initiated, preserve the vessel in accordance with applicable court orders and investigate any substantiated conflict of interest.
Verify the reported disciplinary queries, clarify CSP Sini’s command and reporting responsibilities and establish whether any judicial or police directives remain uncomplied with.
Consider, in accordance with established procedures, temporarily removing CSP Sini from involvement in the MT. THOR matter pending the outcome of an impartial investigation.
Refer any substantiated misconduct to the appropriate disciplinary or prosecuting authorities and facilitate lawful remedies for any proven violation of fundamental rights.
Acknowledge the petition in writing and communicate the outcome of the investigation to the petitioners to the extent permitted by law and legitimate confidentiality requirements.
CONCLUSION: POLICE AUTHORITY MUST BE SUBJECT TO THE LAW
HURIWA reiterates that the fight against petroleum theft and other economic crimes must be conducted through credible investigations, admissible evidence and strict adherence to due process.
The allegations surrounding MT. THOR raise questions that cannot responsibly be dismissed without examination. A vessel reportedly in judicial custody was being moved under Marine Police escort when it was intercepted. Four persons said to have been engaged in preserving the vessel were subsequently arrested and prosecuted. The petition also raises concerns about prolonged detention, the handling of investigative evidence, internal police correspondence and a possible attempt to dispose of the vessel while litigation remains pending.
These claims require an impartial investigation that protects the integrity of the police, the authority of the courts and the fundamental rights of all affected persons.
HURIWA is not asking the Inspector-General to prejudge CSP Sini or any other officer. It is asking the police leadership to establish the facts, determine whether the relevant laws and directives were followed and ensure that any wrongdoing proved by the evidence attracts appropriate consequences.
The Nigeria Police Force must demonstrate that no officer is permitted to exercise investigative authority without accountability and that neither institutional connections nor the complexity of a criminal investigation can justify departure from the law.
HURIWA therefore urges the Inspector-General to treat the petition as a matter requiring urgent, independent and evidence-based attention in the interest of justice, institutional integrity and public confidence in law enforcement.

By Our Correspondent

An elder statesman and politician, Chief Olisa Metuh,
has called for stiffer penalties for the production and distribution of fake drugs and adulterated consumer products, describing a five-year jail term or N5 million fine as grossly inadequate.

Metuh, who is the Director of Mobilisation and Organisation of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), said the government must stop handling the malaise with kid gloves.

He was reacting to Wednesday’s conviction of a businessman, Innocent Okoye, by the Federal High Court in Abia State for producing and distributing fake Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Okoye was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, with an option of N5 million fine.

Describing the sentence as a “mere slap on the wrist,” Metuh warned that such punishment could make counterfeiting and product adulteration a manageable business expense for unscrupulous manufacturers and distributors.

He said adulterated medicines, food, beverages, cosmetics and household products could cause serious illnesses, organ damage and preventable deaths, noting that unsuspecting Nigerians often bear the consequences of offences capable of affecting hundreds or thousands of people before detection.

“The law must respond with consequences that fit the crime,” Metuh said, arguing that the absence of direct physical confrontation between offenders and their victims does not make product counterfeiting any less dangerous than conventional violent crimes.

The lawyer urged the National Assembly to urgently review existing laws on drug counterfeiting, pharmaceutical adulteration and falsification of consumer products, with penalties reflecting the harm caused, offenders’ intentions, financial gains and degree of recklessness.

He called for substantially longer prison terms, including sentences comparable to those for grave violent crimes where offences result in death or serious injury, alongside fines proportionate to illicit profits and damage caused.

Metuh also advocated asset forfeiture, closure of offending facilities, compensation for victims, withdrawal of dangerous products from circulation and prosecution of corporate executives, manufacturers, importers and distributors who knowingly facilitate such crimes. He, however, stressed that tougher laws must be backed by swift prosecution and consistent enforcement.

“A five-year jail term or N5 million fine amounts to a mere slap on the wrist,” he said, insisting that such punishment must never become the price of doing business with human lives.

The Senate had in July 2026 passed for second reading the Counterfeit Medical Products, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Prohibition and Control) Bill, 2026. The proposed legislation prescribes a 15-year jail term upon conviction, asset forfeiture, compensation for victims and stronger enforcement powers for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).