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Weeks after officials of the Imo state government released a purported letter of apology from Dr. Fabian Ihekweme to Governor Hope Uzodinma, the former Foreign Affairs Commissioner, has in a dramatic turn of events, demanded a public apology from Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state.
Ihekweme, through his legal representatives, Sulaiman Usman SAN & Co. and Gamzaki Law Chambers, has demanded N10 billion in compensation and a public apology from Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, over alleged defamation, unlawful arrest, and detention. The demands were outlined in a formal notice of intention to commence legal action dated 20th February 2025, addressed to Governor Uzodinma.
The notice, signed by Dr. Ihekweme’s legal team, accuses the governor of orchestrating a malicious campaign against their client, including false allegations of sedition and incitement against the Imo State government.
According to the letter, these allegations led to Dr. Ihekweme’s arrest on 27th November 2024, at his Abuja residence.
The arrest, carried out by unidentified armed security operatives, was executed without a warrant and in full public glare, causing significant humiliation and distress.
The letter further details the harrowing ordeal Dr. Ihekweme endured during his 62-day detention, including being handcuffed, denied access to legal representation, and transported under duress from Abuja to Owerri.
Upon arrival, Governor Uzodinma allegedly instructed police officers to photograph Dr. Ihekweme in handcuffs and forward the images to him.
Ihekweme was then paraded publicly as a criminal, subjected to inhumane treatment, and held under degrading and life-threatening conditions, including starvation and denial of medical care.
The legal team emphasized that these actions violated Ihekweme’s fundamental human rights as enshrined in Sections 34, 35, 36, and 41 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). These provisions safeguard the dignity of the human person, rights to personal liberty, fair hearing, and freedom of movement.
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in its ruling on 30th January 2025 (Suit No. CV/5519/24: Dr. Fabian Ihekweme v. Inspector General of Police & Nigeria Police Force), declared the arrest and detention of Dr. Ihekweme illegal and unconstitutional. The court’s judgment reinforced the unlawfulness of the governor’s actions and highlighted the abuse of power that led to Ihekweme’s suffering.
Consequently, Ihekweme’s legal team has demanded that Governor Uzodinma issue a formal, unreserved apology to be published in two national newspapers within seven days of receiving the notice. Additionally, they have demanded the payment of N10 billion as compensation for the emotional trauma, reputational damage, and unlawful suffering inflicted on their client.
The letter concludes with a stern warning: failure to comply with these demands within the stipulated timeframe will result in immediate legal proceedings against the governor without further recourse.
