Osmond Ugwu

Human rights defender Mr Osmond Ugwu remains in detention at Enugu State prison more than two weeks after his arbitrary and violent arrest.

Further Information

On 24 October 2011, he was violently assaulted and arrested after law enforcement officers charged a group of workers seeking to peacefully prevent his arrest. The charges of conspiracy to commit felony and attempted murder have been brought against him.

Osmond Ugwu is Chairperson of the Civil Liberties Organisation's (CLO) branch in Enugu State and Chairperson of the Enugu Workers' Forum (EWF). He is a prominent defender of workers' rights, particularly in relation to the ongoing industrial dispute over the lack of implementation of the Minimum Wage Act in Enugu State.

On 24 October 2011, at approximately 6 pm, a heavily-armed group of soldiers, police officers, members of the State Security Service (SSS) and reportedly political thugs interrupted a prayer session of the Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TCU) in order to arrest Osmond Ugwu. The prayer session was organised as part of an ongoing dispute with the Enugu State administration over the non-implementation of the Minimum Wage Act. The workers present surrounded Osmond Ugwu in an attempt to peacefully prevent his arrest. During the confrontation that ensued, it is reported that the Chief Security Officer ordered his officers to charge those assembled in order to overcome their peaceful resistance and carry out the arrest. CLO reported that live ammunitions were used. Several workers were injured as a result and are receiving hospital treatment. During the course of the arrest, the human rights defender was severely beaten before being taken from the scene.

CLO later issued a statement blaming the Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, for the events. The Governor had named Osmond Ugwu as his enemy on “Ka oha malu“ (Let People Know), a radio programme aired by Radio Nigeria–Enugu State several weeks before the attack.

Following his arrest, Osmond Ugwu was detained at the Police State Command. The police failed to present Osmond Ugwu to court the next day. He was eventually brought before the Enugu Magistrates' Court at 8.15 am on 26 October, after the police intervened to disperse a number of workers and CLO members who had assembled in front of the courthouse to protest against the arrest and ill treatment of their leader. The human rights defender was charged with conspiracy to commit felony and attempted murder of the policeman who arrested him, Sergeant Emebong Ndon. As the charges refer to events allegedly occurred during the arrest, the reasons why the police originally intended to arrest him remain unclear.

CLO expressed concern that the fact that the sitting of the Magistrates' Court commenced before the regular time of 9 am was an attempt by the authorities to deny Osmond Ugwu legal representation. However, upon learning that he had been brought to court, Barrister Gabriel Nwokeiwu hastened to the courtroom but was informed that Osmond Ugwu had already been remanded in prison. Osmond Ugwu appeared again before the Magistrates' Court at 6 am on both 3 and 4 November when remand was confirmed.

Osmond Ugwu has not received any medical attention for the injuries which he sustained during the course of the attack carried out by police, soldiers and others.

Front Line believes that the violent attack and judicial harassment against Osmond Ugwu are directly related to his legitimate work in the defence of human rights. Front Line is seriously concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Osmond Ugwu, and all others advocating for the implementation of the Minimum Wage Law in Enugu State.