By Our Correspondent
ABUJA – Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) has called on the Imo state government, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), human rights lawyers and civil society organisations to urgently intervene in the case of 89-year-old Pa Everestus Okereke and his son, Ugochukwu, who are reportedly facing execution after spending about 10 years in custody.
GOMEP-NG, in a statement signed by its President, Comr. Akpovoke Otiti said the reported circumstances surrounding the case raised questions that required urgent legal and humanitarian attention, which according to media reports, Okereke and his eldest son were sentenced to death by hanging in September 2022 over a 2016 incident in Imo State which reportedly resulted in the death of another man, we clearly understand that it is a case of Homicide.
Reports also indicated that another son, who was allegedly involved in the confrontation, fled after the incident and has reportedly remained missing.
GOMEP-NG said it was not seeking to undermine the judgment of the court or deny the rights of the deceased’s family to justice, but urged the legal community to examine the circumstances of the case and establish whether all available legal remedies had been exhausted.
The Guild specifically called on the NBA to facilitate, where possible, an independent legal review of the case, including the charges against the two men, the evidence presented during trial, the judgment of the court and the status of any appeal.
It also urged human rights organisations and civil society advocates to take an interest in the matter, particularly given the advanced age of Pa Okereke.
The Guild noted that the 89-year-old reportedly entered custody at about 79 and has consequently spent approximately a decade behind bars.
“We are not asking for preferential treatment. We are asking for scrutiny, transparency, due process and access to justice,” GOMEP-NG said.
The organisation also appealed to the Imo State Government and relevant justice authorities to urgently clarify the present legal status of the case and ensure that every lawful avenue available to the convicted persons is identified and exhausted before any irreversible action is taken.
GOMEP-NG stressed that while the family of the deceased deserves justice, the constitutional and legal rights of persons facing a death sentence must equally be protected.
It therefore urged the NBA, human rights lawyers, civil society organisations and other legal advocacy groups to examine the available court records and, where legally justified, assist the affected persons in pursuing any remaining legal remedies.
The Guild also called for responsible media coverage of the matter, saying the public deserves accurate information on the circumstances surrounding the convictions and the current status of the case.
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