An Enugu-based law firm, OAU Onyema & CO has called for the immediate release on bail of the chairmanship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming local government election in Enugu State, Mr UGULU Okafor UGULU who was arrested by the Department of State Service, DSS on the December 21, 2023 along side his son, who is currently participating in the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.
In a letter, marked OAU/AKP.CH/2024/VOL.1A HOM/001 dated January 2, 2024 and addressed to the State Director, Enugu State Command of the Department of State Service ( DSS) entitled “APPLICATION FOR BAIL; AND RELEASE OF MR UGULU OKAFOR UGULU- A PDP CHAIRMANSHIP ASPIRANT, AWGU LGA, AND HIS SON EBUBECHUKWU PATRICK OKAFOR-A NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORP MEMBER”, and signed by the Principal partner, Chief Sir OAU Onyema asked for release of the detained father and son pending the outcome of investigation.
The letter detailed the circumstances leading to their arrest and subsequent detention.
The law firm disclosed that the family received a phone call on December 20, 2023, inviting Mr. Ugulu to the DSS office in Enugu the following day, which he honoured adding that since then, there has been no contact with the detained individuals, causing distress for their family.
The legal team stated the detained Mr. Ugulu O. Ugulu, has no criminal records and acknowledged his contributions as a politician and former Administrator of Mbanabo South Development Area in Enugu State.
The law firm raised concerns about the potential political motivation behind the arrest, especially given Mr. Ugulu’s involvement in the upcoming Enugu State LG Chairmanship Election.
Chief Sir OAU Onyema, the Principal of OAU Onyema & Co, respectfully seeks the bail of the clients, emphasizing the violation of their fundamental human rights during the festive season.
The legal firm urges a timely review of the application, hoping for a swift resolution of whatever issues that may warranted their arrest and detention.
The letter copied to the Director General of the DSS Headquarters in Abuja, pleaded for justice and fairness.
READ EXCERPTS OF THE LETTER
We have been briefed and our services retained by the family of MR UGULU Okafor UGULU- A PDP CHAIRMANSHIP ASPIRANT, AWGU LGA, AND HIS SON Ebubechukwu Patrick Okafor – A NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORP MEMBER; as represented by the Wife / mother – MRS DORATHY NGOZI UGULU and SON/ brother- MR ANENE OKAFOR all of Owelli Court, Mbanabo South Development Centre, Awgu LGA, Enugu State.
We shall for the purposes of this letter refer to them as our clients. It is on their instruction, authority, and on their behalf that we write you as follows:
Sir, it is with great respect that we bring before you, the ugly plight of our clients, who approached us panting and tensed during this yuletide, complaining bitterly about the un-comprehended detention of their father and his son mentioned above.
Sir, our client stated that on the 20th day of December 2023, their husband / father Mr Ugulu Okafor Ugulu received phone calls from your men which enquired whether he is Mr Ugulu, the PDP CHAIRMANSHIP ASPIRANT for the forthcoming Enugu State LG CHAIRMANSHIP Election slated for February 2024, and he answered in the affirmative. And in the discussion that they had on telephone, while Mr Ugulu was eating with his wife, they invited him to the DSS office at Enugu next day being 21st day of December 2023.
It is equally our client’s averment that on the said 21st day of December 2023, MR UGULU O. UGULU was driven to the office of DSS at GRA Enugu by his son who is a serving Corp member, who returned from his station for the yuletide ,called MR EBUBECHUKWU PATRICK OKAFOR.
Sir, our clients maintain that since the 21st day of December 2023 when they drove into the compound of the DSS Enugu ( where their car – Mercedes Benz 190 model with Reg No: Kaduna AA 921 DKA is currently parked) they have not seen or heard from them.
This incident became a great source of worry to the family who have tried severally to be allowed to see them in vain. They only see from the gate their car where it is parked inside the compound of the Enugu DSS, till this date.
Indeed, our clients are at loss, what must have happened, as they know that their father and son are not a criminals; and they are confuse as to why they were arrested and detained since 21st day of December, 2023, and they strongly suspect that any allegation against them is politically motivated, so as to frustrate him from meeting the requirement of his Political Party ( PDP) before the dead-lines.
Mr Ugulu O. Ugulu is a well known Politician and former ADMINISTRATOR OF MBANABO SOUTH DEV. AREA in Enugu State; as well as former Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) in Enugu State.
He is about 60years of age, and we are at loss, what kind of social-vice that he must have learnt of late, as to warrant him being incarcerated in your custody since 21/12/2023, and who must have instigated this.
Prayers:
Sir, on our part, we do not wish to delve into the merits or demerits of the matter, so as not to prejudice any investigation, you might be carrying out; but we simply apply for the bail of these clients of ours in your custody, pending your investigation ( if any).
Today, is 2nd day of January 2024, meaning that our Noble clients have been in your incarceration throughout the yuletide ( Christmas and New year season – 2023 / 24); and only the allegation that informed this incarceration, will justify the infringement of their fundamental rights to this magnitude.
Kindly review this application and give it the needed timeous attention.
Accept the assurances of our highest regards and esteem.
Thanks.
Yours faithfully,
In Chambers: Chief Sir OAU Onyema (Principal); Christopher Ebeke Esq; Sarah Okonkwo Esq (Mrs); Sifon Anunta Esq (Mrs); Amaka Obi Esq (Mrs); E.C. Ozougwu Esq; Edith Umunna Esq (Mrs); Chisom Noke-Ugwu Esq (Mrs); Kene Nnadi Esq; Grace Chisom Nwoye, Esq; Chikodili Ezenduka Esq (Mrs) -(HOC); Sunday Nwainyanya Ogbonnaya Esq; Chibuzor Odukwu, Esq; Brendan Odoh Esq, Chidi Nnamani PhD; C.O. Aneke Esq; G.C. Nnamani (Jnr), Esq,; Barr O.P. Agu, Barr Mrs Ifunanya C. Ude, Barr Mrs Loveth Okechukwu, Barr Ayomide T. Ahmed, Barr Oge Esther Igwenagu, Barr Ebere Onyema, , Barr Mrs Ngozi Okafor
