The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has urged Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, to release over 40 traditional worshippers and native doctors who have been detained for more than three months without being charged in court.
Intersociety, a prominent human rights organization, condemned the prolonged detention, describing it as a gross violation of fundamental human rights, particularly the constitutional right to freedom of religion and worship. In a statement issued by its chairman, Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi, the group expressed deep concern over the continued incarceration of the detainees, emphasizing that they had been held in Awka for over 60 days without formal charges or any court proceedings.
According to the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, the maximum period for detention without charge is 48 hours under normal circumstances, or up to 60 days for capital offenses. However, Intersociety pointed out that the Anambra State government had significantly exceeded this legal limit, making the continued detention of the traditional worshippers unlawful.
The rights group also criticized Governor Soludo’s handling of the matter, stating that his administration had severely undermined its credibility by failing to respect basic human rights. The group accused the government of subjecting the detainees to public humiliation, labeling them as practitioners of “fetish” and “demonic” religious practices while attempting to link them to violent crimes without any substantive evidence.
Intersociety maintained that none of the detainees had been proven guilty of any criminal activity, stressing that their continued detention without trial was unjust and unconstitutional. The organization, therefore, called for their immediate and unconditional release.
Furthermore, the group recalled that on March 8, 2025, Governor Soludo had imposed a controversial ban on open gospel preaching in Anambra State, alongside a hefty fine of N500,000 for violators. Intersociety criticized this policy as another instance of dictatorial governance, comparing it to the infamous Decree 2 of 1984, which was used by Nigeria’s military regime to detain individuals without trial.
Reaffirming its commitment to human rights advocacy, Intersociety urged the Anambra State government to uphold the principles of justice and fairness, emphasizing that religious freedom must be protected for all citizens, regardless of their faith or beliefs.
