Eyewitness Raises Concerns Over Alleged Prolonged Detention of Ijaw Indigenes from Arogbo, Gbaramatu, Safarogbo in Benin Prison
An eyewitness account has raised concerns over the alleged prolonged detention of more than 18 individuals of Ijaw origin at the White House Correctional Centre along Sapele Road, Benin City, Edo State.
The account was provided by a former detainee who claims to have spent time at the facility and requested anonymity due to safety concerns. The publication notes that the claims have not been independently verified in full, and relevant authorities have not responded to inquiries at the time of filing this report.
According to the account, several inmates arrested across Ondo, Edo, and Delta States over various alleged offences, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and murder, are said to have remained in custody for extended periods without concluded trials or publicly available updates on their cases.
The eyewitness alleged that some detainees may have spent months, while others reportedly spent years in custody awaiting the conclusion of judicial proceedings.
One case cited in the account is that of Tebeibi Bamise (25) from Arogbo Town, Ondo State, who is alleged to have been in detention for approximately four years following his arrest in connection with an alleged armed robbery case.
Other individuals were also mentioned in the account as allegedly being in custody on various charges. However, their cases could not be independently confirmed, and details of their legal status remain unclear.
The eyewitness also listed several individuals said to be in custody at the facility on allegations including kidnapping and armed robbery. These include:
• Bekewei Jouhan (39), Arogbo Town, Ondo State – allegedly arrested in 2023
• Michael Adodo (42), Delta State – allegedly arrested in 2025
• Michael Tominiwei (43), Delta State – allegedly arrested in 2025
• Ayeibi Aguwa (33), Edo State – allegedly arrested in 2025
• Gbale Charles (37), Edo State – allegedly arrested in 2025
• Matthew Daniel (25), Ondo State – allegedly arrested in 2025
• Francis Degbe, Ondo State – allegedly arrested in 2025
• Agbe Kenneth (41) – allegedly arrested in 2025
• Peter Elder – allegedly arrested on kidnapping-related allegations
• Tony Fedia – allegedly arrested on kidnapping-related allegations
• Noah Johnson – allegedly arrested on kidnapping-related allegations
• Prosper Governor – allegedly arrested on kidnapping-related allegations
The list could not be independently verified, and details of charges, court appearances, or remand orders were not provided in the account.
The eyewitness account further raised concerns about the pace of case resolution and access to legal representation for some detainees.
It was not immediately clear how many of the individuals have ongoing court proceedings or are currently represented by legal counsel.
Legal observers note that while criminal prosecution follows due judicial processes, prolonged detention without trial or resolution; where proven; may raise questions regarding compliance with constitutional provisions on fair hearing.
The account also referenced Endurance Osagiede, who was said to have been convicted of armed robbery and conspiracy and sentenced to 21 years imprisonment. However, concerns were reportedly raised within the account regarding the fairness of the trial process. These claims could not be independently verified.
Stakeholders from the Ijaw community and civil society groups are being called upon by concerned voices to review the situation and engage relevant authorities for clarification.
Among the areas of concern raised are:
• The status of ongoing trials involving affected individuals
• Access to legal representation for detainees
• Duration of pre-trial detention in specific cases
• Transparency in court and remand processes
The Nigerian Correctional Service and relevant judicial authorities had not responded to requests for comment at the time of filing this report.
This report is based on claims contained in an eyewitness account provided by a former detainee and community narratives. The information presented has not been independently verified in full. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
