A Delta State resident, Anthony Ugochukwu Anamonye, has accused his traditional ruler, HRH Obi Ezedimbu Emmanuel Nkebakwu III, and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Onicha-Olona Police Division, CSP Ofielu Innocent, of unlawful arrest and detention.
Anamonye, during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, stated that the arrest was in connection with his series of protests against illegal coal mining in Ugboba community, which has reportedly resulted in loss of lives and destruction of properties without compensation.
According to Anamonye, the coal mining activities of Mosra Energy Ltd. have plunged the once-vibrant agrarian community into hardship and uncertainty.
“In the month of July, not less than seven (7) lives were lost in a community of about 180 inhabitants,” Anamonye stated.
Despite his efforts to engage the traditional ruler and community leaders on the issue, Anamonye alleged that they have colluded to silence him.
Anamonye explained that he was summoned to the palace by the traditional ruler on September 14, 2025, where he was arrested and detained by the police.
“The traditional ruler ordered the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Ofielu Innocent, to confiscate my phone, had me stand before him to the amazement of the entire community while he made false allegations against me,” Anamonye claimed.
Anamonye alleges that during his detention, he was physically abused and mentally tortured.
“While being whisked away to the police station, I was physically abused and mentally tortured by CSP Ofielu Innocent, the DPO who threatened to smoke me alive,” Anamonye stated.
Anamonye also claimed that the police forced him to disclose his phones’ passwords.
“The DPO forced me to disclose to him my phones’ passwords, and he used my phones for five days while I was in detention,” he said.
After spending four days, Anamonye said he was charged with false publication, threats to life, and defamation before a Magistrate’s Court.
“On Thursday, September 18, 2025, I was brought before the Ezi Magistrate Court, where I was granted bail by the Magistrate after three-count charges were brought against me,” Anamonye stated.
“The bail conditions were met and fulfilled on Friday, September 19, 2025.”
Anamonye, an Abuja-based businessman who relocated from Kenya due to police brutality, has alleged that his life and those of his family members remain under threat.
“My life and that of my family members are still under threat at this material time,” Anamonye stated, adding that the traditional ruler’s driver, one Agiliga, allegedly threatened to shoot him.
“The driver of the traditional ruler called Agiliga threatened to shoot me using his gun right in the presence of everyone present at the palace and the police,” Anamonye said.
He questioned the legitimacy of the prosecution process, adding that the “traditional ruler was never present at any of the police stations as the nominal complainant nor was he in court as at the time I was arraigned at the magistrate court.”
Anamonye stated that the recorded statement was made by the traditional ruler’s delegate, Mr. Ofili Otobo, and signed by him, despite the police presenting him as the complainant.
He, however, noted that the court matter has been scheduled for a hearing on October 16, 2025, with the magistrate requesting the traditional ruler’s physical presence in court.
