OZORO: The Delta State Police Command has arraigned the Chairman of Emevor Community, Lucky Okeremu, alongside two other community leaders before the Chief Magistrate Court in Ozoro over the alleged public flogging and assault of a resident, Ogaga Godspower Okedi, following comments he made on social media.
The defendants Lucky Okeremu (48), Okiemute Oyibo (46) and Karo Akamakusi (45), were brought before the court on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, and criminal intimidation.
The prosecution alleged that the trio acted in concert with other suspects who are still at large.
According to the charge sheet marked MA/75/2026, filed by the Commissioner of Police through the Directorate of Legal Services, Area Command Headquarters, Ozoro, the accused allegedly conspired to assault the victim on or before July 5, 2026, in Emevor Community, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The prosecution said the alleged offence contravenes Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C.21, Volume 1, Laws of Delta State, 2006.
In the second count, the defendants were accused of unlawfully flogging Okedi throughout his body at Emiluck Hotel and Suite, Emevor, causing him bodily injuries in an offence punishable under Section 355 of the Criminal Code.
They were also charged with conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace under Section 249(e) of the Criminal Code.
The fourth charge accused the three men of threatening the life of the victim with the intent to intimidate or harass him, contrary to Section 86 of the Criminal Code.
The incident attracted widespread attention after videos circulated on social media showing Okedi being forced to lie face down while he was repeatedly flogged with sticks in the presence of community leaders.
Initial reports suggested that the assault was connected to Facebook posts in which the victim criticised abandoned Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) road projects in Emevor and questioned the involvement of a community indigene in the projects.
However, subsequent information indicated that the immediate trigger was comments Okedi allegedly made in the community’s WhatsApp group concerning compensation reportedly arranged for women whose farmlands were destroyed by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
According to community sources, Okedi questioned the decision to accept compensation from the herders, arguing that such an arrangement could encourage future destruction of farmlands and worsen insecurity in the community.
Supporters of Chairman Okeremu denied the compensation allegation, insisting that the meeting held with leaders of the Arewa community in neighbouring Ughelli North Local Government Area was aimed solely at securing assurances that herdsmen would no longer graze cattle within Emevor.
They also claimed that respected members of the community had advised Okedi to withdraw his allegations and apologise, but he allegedly declined.
According to reports, Okedi was later invited to appear before the community leadership, where he was allegedly assaulted shortly after honouring the invitation.
The public flogging sparked widespread condemnation from Nigerians, civil society organizations and community leaders, many of whom described the incident as a violation of fundamental human rights.
President of the Isoko National Youth Assembly Worldwide (INYA), Eniwake Orogun, condemned the assault, stating that no individual has the right to subject another person to such degrading treatment.
Similarly, the President-General of Emevor Community, Emmanuel Erezih, popularly known as Okpomo, distanced the community from the actions of the accused.
He stressed that no opinion expressed online, regardless of its content, could justify physical assault, humiliation or intimidation.
According to him, those responsible acted outside the principles and values of the community, emphasizing that no individual has the authority to take the law into their own hands.
Before the arraignment, senior officers at the Delta State Police Area Command in Ozoro had confirmed the arrest of Okeremu, the community vigilante chairman and the chairman of the community task force, while other suspects remained at large after failing to honor police invitations.
With investigations now completed, the police have formally filed criminal charges before the Chief Magistrate Court.
The case is expected to proceed through the judicial process as authorities continue efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects linked to the alleged assault.
