Unjustly Detained EBSU Student Released After Three Years in Jail
Onyibe Emmanuel Chinonso, an undergraduate at Ebonyi State University (EBSU), has finally been released after spending three years in jail. Reflecting on the impact of his arrest on his academic pursuits, Emmanuel shared the detrimental effects of being away from school for an extended period.
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Onyibe Emmanuel Chinonso, an undergraduate at Ebonyi State University (EBSU), has finally been released after spending three years in jail. His arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS) occurred while he was on his way to attend the Nnamdi Kanu Trial in Abuja. At the time of his arrest, Emmanuel was in his final year of studying computer science.
Describing the circumstances that led to his prolonged detention, Emmanuel recounted an incident that took place on July 26, 2021. While returning from Abuja, their vehicle was stopped at a military checkpoint on Muritala Mohammed Bridge in Kogi. DSS officials were searching for a Sienna vehicle and requested access to their phones. Despite multiple searches, no incriminating evidence was found.
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Emmanuel, along with his companions, was then taken to the DSS office in Lokoja and later transferred to Abuja blindfolded. They were stripped of all possessions before being held in an underground cell at 'Basement 2'. Interrogations ensued with baseless allegations of being affiliated with the Eastern Security Network (ESN). "Our actual offence was never clarified. They claimed we were linked to the Eastern Security Network (ESN) but provided no evidence," he asserted.
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The group of detainees, including Emmanuel, was eventually taken to Wawa Military Cantonment where they endured harsh living conditions. Emmanuel highlighted the lack of food, water scarcity, and deprivation of sunlight as major concerns during his time in detention. He expressed deep frustration over the unjust treatment meted out to inmates, likening their existence to that of animals.
Reflecting on the impact of his arrest on his academic pursuits, Emmanuel shared the detrimental effects of being away from school for an extended period. He expressed a desire to regain control of his life and rectify the losses suffered due to his unjust incarceration. . "It has affected me severely. I have missed valuable time in school and faced numerous setbacks," he lamented.
