The controversy surrounding Aigbogun detention has deepened as civil society groups demand his release, citing constitutional breaches and fears of political persecution.
The continued detention of Collins Aigbogun, a former Special Adviser to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, has ignited fresh debate over civil liberties, policing standards, and political accountability in the aftermath of the violent anti-kidnapping protests in Ekpoma.
More than a week after the demonstrations spiralled into unrest, human rights advocates insist that Aigbogun detention is unjustified and undermines constitutional safeguards.
The protests, which began as public outrage against rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity in parts of Edo State, quickly escalated, leading to clashes, property damage, and the arrest of several individuals.
In the days that followed, Aigbogun was taken into police custody after being accused of playing a central role in organising or sponsoring the demonstrations.
Shortly afterward, Governor Okpebholo relieved him of his advisory position, replacing him with another appointee.
Despite his removal from office, Aigbogun detention has persisted, drawing sharp criticism from the Edo State Civil Society Coalition for Human Rights.
The group argues that keeping the former aide in custody without formal charges or publicly presented evidence violates both the spirit and the letter of Nigeria’s Constitution.
In a statement jointly signed by the coalition’s Coordinator General, Marxist Edokpayi, and Secretary General, Aghatise Raphael, the organisation warned security agencies against arbitrary arrests and prolonged detention.
They stressed that law enforcement must operate within constitutional limits, particularly in politically sensitive situations.
The coalition cited Section 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which clearly provides that no person shall be convicted of a criminal offence unless the offence is defined by law and carries a prescribed penalty.
According to the group, there has been no clear disclosure of the specific offence for which Aigbogun is being held, nor any evidence publicly linking him to the planning or financing of the protest.
Concerns surrounding Aigbogun detention were further heightened by earlier remarks credited to Governor Okpebholo, who reportedly claimed that the Ekpoma protest was sponsored by an individual based in Russia.
Civil society leaders have questioned why Aigbogun remains in custody if the alleged sponsor is located outside the country, arguing that the narrative appears inconsistent and legally problematic.
Beyond the individual case, the coalition warned that the situation could create a dangerous precedent where political actors or outspoken individuals are detained under vague accusations.
They described the continued incarceration of Aigbogun as potentially “antithetical to democratic norms” and capable of eroding public trust in security institutions.
“It is deeply troubling that while organised criminal networks continue to terrorise communities, citizens and activists are subjected to detention for expressing grievances,” the group noted.
The statement posed a broader question about national priorities: whether security agencies should focus on suppressing protests or intensify efforts against kidnappers and violent criminals threatening lives across the state.
Analysts say the controversy reflects a wider national tension between public protests and state authority.
In recent years, demonstrations over insecurity, governance, and economic hardship have often been met with heavy-handed responses, prompting criticism from rights groups and legal experts.
The Aigbogun detention, they argue, fits into this troubling pattern.
The coalition also appealed directly to Governor Okpebholo to intervene by ordering the immediate and unconditional release of his former aide.
According to the group, such a move would demonstrate respect for the rule of law and help de-escalate growing public suspicion surrounding the handling of the protest aftermath.
Invoking a well-known legal principle, the group stated that justice systems must err on the side of protecting the innocent, even if it means some guilty individuals evade punishment.
They argued that continued Aigbogun detention, in the absence of due process, risks punishing an individual without lawful justification.
The Nigerian Police Force was equally urged to realign its actions with constitutional mandates, judicial precedents, and professional ethics.
Civil society leaders emphasised that effective policing requires public trust, which can only be sustained when citizens believe that arrests and detentions are carried out fairly and transparently.
As public attention remains fixed on the case, the handling of Aigbogun detention is increasingly seen as a test of Edo State’s commitment to human rights and democratic governance.
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