A civil rights group accused Governor Ododo of using police to keep political aides in cell for 57 days without court trial.
A human rights organization has raised a strong public alarm, accusing Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State of using police officers to illegally arrest and lock up political aides belonging to opposition leaders in the state.
The advocacy group issued a formal petition and held a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, revealing that several political workers have been kept inside dark police cells for over 57 days without being taken before any judge or court of law.
The detained men were picked up from their homes and offices in Lokoja and other parts of Kogi State during quiet police raids, leaving their family members without access to feed or visit them.
The primary reason why the rights organization is speaking out now is to demand immediate intervention from the Inspector General of Police and national human rights commissions before the health of the detained citizens breaks down completely.
According to the petition submitted by the group’s legal team, the affected aides were arrested simply because of their political alliance with opposition figures who contested the state’s leadership.
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The group pointed out that keeping citizens in police detention for almost two months violates the basic constitution of Nigeria, which commands police officers to bring any arrested person before a court within twenty-four to forty-eight hours.
Calling out the state government for using state power against political opponents, spokespersons for the group stated that “The continuous detention of these aides for 57 days without charge is a gross violation of their fundamental human rights and an abuse of executive power”.
Calling on police authorities in Abuja to order an immediate release or court trial, the legal petition added that “We demand that the Commissioner of Police and the Inspector General of Police either charge these individuals to a court of competent jurisdiction immediately or release them unconditionally”.
Highlighting the deep pain suffered by the families of the detained aides, the group noted that “Families of the victims have been denied access to see their loved ones, causing severe emotional distress and health risks to the detainees”.
Reports confirm that tensions remain high in Kogi State following a series of disputes between the ruling party and opposition groups over local political activities.
Additional reports from legal experts emphasize that prolonged detention without trial damages public trust in law enforcement agencies across the country.
Jennifer Baba is a journalist, international news correspondent, and writer at Moderncrux, where she covers artificial intelligence, fintech, emerging technologies, global politics, and international affairs. Based in Nigeria, she is passionate about transforming complex global developments into clear, engaging stories that inform and inspire readers.
