A rights group, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has called on the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo to release about 40 native doctors being detained in the state.

The native doctors were arrested after the signing of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law about two months ago on allegations of preparing protective charms for criminals and engaging in money rituals, which has aided insecurity in the state.

But Intersociety in a press statement signed by the chairman board of trustees of the group, Mr Emeka Umeagbalasi and other members said those being held were merely traditional worshipers, and that their continued detention amounted to intolerance for other religions.

The group said, “The traditional worshippers being held in Anambra have no case to answer in law. Governor Charles Soludo and his government, having failed a litmus test of being responsible, human rights and freedom of religion have lost legal and moral grounds to continue to detain without investigation.

“The over 40 detained traditional worshippers held illegally in an illegal detention facility (state militias’ Lion House at Awka) for more than 60 days should be released.

“The above clearly exceeded the constitutionally prescribed 24-48hrs or maximum of 60 days if arrested by police or secret service and detained in any of their customers for offences bordering on capital punishments especially when such detention is for purpose of continuation and conclusion of criminal investigations.

“Governors in Nigeria including Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State are constitutionally and statutorily barred from detaining citizens in their militias’ custodies through Remand Orders or Holden Charge.

“Following the failure of the Soludo-led government to ensure due process and rule of law in the instant case; and having controversially labelled, lampooned, ridiculed, humiliated and degraded them by publicly portraying them as those involved in fetish and demonic religious practices and violent crimes, the over 40 native doctors have no case to answer.”

The group named some of the native doctors in detention including; Chigozie Nwangwu, popularly known as akwa okuko tiwara aki, Abuchi Ikechukwu Okafor, Chijindu Nwaeze, Onyeka Onyeji (Vice President of the Umuoji Improvement Union), Onyeze Jesus, Ekene Igboekweze, popularly known as Eke-Hit, among others.

The group further raised the alarm on the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the South East, calling on the Governors of Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra and Imo States to sit up.

The Intersociety threatened to mount advocacy through their international counterparts for visa bans and international isolation against the governors and their families.

Rights group urges Soludo to release over 40 native doctors detained in Anambra