HURIWA Petitions IGP, Seeks Probe Of Alleged Illegal Detention Of 4 Workers

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has petitioned the inspector-general of police (IGP), demanding an independent investigation of alleged detention of four workers and probe into allegations of misconduct against the head of investigation, Special Prosecution Team of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Petroleum Products Theft, CSP Omar John Sini.

The group wants the police authorities to investigate the alleged unlawful interception of a vessel, MT. THOR, in Delta State, the arrest and prosecution of four maintenance workers, their reported prolonged detention and an alleged attempt to sell or auction the vessel despite pending court proceedings.

In a statement signed by its national coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA said the allegations were contained in a petition dated October 26, submitted to the IGP by the law firm of P. O. Onucheyo and S. D. Omede on behalf of MT. THOR.

The petition specifically questioned the circumstances surrounding the interception of the vessel at Koko, Warri, Delta State, on December 15, 2025, when it was reportedly being towed under Marine Police escort to a safe location.

According to the lawyers, the vessel was then under the custody of the Admiralty Marshal of the Federal High Court, Warri Judicial Division, and was being moved to protect it from possible damage.

However, they alleged that Sini and officers attached to the Special Prosecution Team, operating from Artillery, Port Harcourt, intervened and intercepted the vessel despite its reported judicial custody and the Marine Police escort.

Reacting to the allegations, HURIWA said the IGP should establish the intelligence available to the officers, the criminal evidence relied upon to justify the operation and whether the interception complied with applicable court orders and legal procedures.

The association, however, acknowledged that judicial custody does not automatically prevent criminal investigations, insisting that the legality of the particular operation must be established.

Another major concern raised in the petition was the arrest and prosecution of four maintenance workers identified as Ebor Eric Kessiena, John Atawo Lawrence, Godwin Okpaje and Mukaila Sarumi.

The four men were reportedly charged over alleged illegal dealings in petroleum products and crude oil theft.

Their lawyers, however, maintained that they were engaged by the vessel’s owner or authorised representatives to pump accumulated water from its engine room to prevent it from flooding or sinking.

They consequently disputed the allegation that the workers were involved in crude oil theft or illegal petroleum trading.

The petition also questioned an analysis reportedly attributed to Sini and dated December 12, 2025, three days before the vessel was intercepted and the workers arrested.

The lawyers urged the IGP to investigate the origin, methodology and evidential basis of the analysis and determine its relationship with the subsequent arrests.

HURIWA said the issue required documentary and forensic scrutiny, urging the police to establish the specific duties performed by each of the four workers and determine whether their alleged maintenance assignment was properly investigated before criminal charges were pursued.

The association also expressed concern over allegations that the workers spent more than six months at the Okere Correctional Centre in Warri, Delta State.

It called for a review of their arrest, arraignment, remand, bail and release records to establish the legal basis for their detention.

HURIWA said prolonged detention without adequate legal justification would raise serious questions about personal liberty, due process and respect for fundamental human rights.

The group further asked the IGP to investigate claims that Sini disregarded correspondence from the Force Intelligence Department (FID) requesting the transfer or coordination of the investigation involving MT. THOR.

It urged the police chief to obtain the original correspondence and establish whether it constituted a binding directive and whether the officer ignored any lawful instruction from superior authorities.