In the heart of Nigeria, an injustice of unimaginable proportions unfolds—a man named Emeka Richmond Ngornadi, a loving husband and father, faces an ordeal that has shattered lives and left a nation reeling in disbelief. Despite the orders from a Federal High Court in Abuja, Emeka remains behind bars, separated from his family, and deprived of his fundamental rights. The time has come for Nigerians to rise and demand the release of Emeka—the time has come to stand united against this gross miscarriage of justice.
Emeka’s tragic journey began while innocently traveling to Anambra with baby items for his pregnant wife. Little did he know that this simple act of love would turn into a nightmare that haunts him to this day. As his wife gave birth, the joy of new life was cruelly overshadowed by the psychological trauma of her husband’s arrest. An innocent child lost their life due to the unfathomable stress caused by Emeka’s unjust detention.
Time ticks on, and still, Emeka’s plea for justice echoes unanswered. In April 2021, a glimmer of hope emerged when a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his immediate release, recognizing the illegality and cruelty of his arrest. Justice H.E. Maha, in delivering the judgment, condemned the unconstitutional detention and awarded N5 million in compensatory and exemplary damages to Mr. Emeka Ngornadi. Yet, the Department of State Services (DSS) turns a deaf ear to the court’s order, leaving Emeka and his family in a perpetual state of uncertainty and despair.
The basis of Emeka’s arrest remains a cause for disbelief. Merely for expressing his opinion by commenting and liking posts online, he found himself entangled in a web of injustice. This flagrant violation of freedom of speech and expression is an assault on the very fabric of democracy—the voice of the people should never be silenced.
Behind the prison walls, Emeka’s life intersected with that of another—a fellow detainee Manasseh Bem Paul, who shared the pain of unjust captivity. Manasseh was arrested alongside others for wearing their prayer point inscription on their t-shirt: “BUHARI MUST GO” and was arrested in Dunamis church premises Abuja before being taken to the DSS detention. Together, they found solace in sharing their stories and pain, united by the quest for justice. Confined to cell 2, Emeka stood out as the only Christian, his body bearing scars of torture. His left ear, damaged from relentless slaps, is a painful reminder of the DSS’s attempts to force a false confession of being an IPOB member. Boils and rashes inflicted by inhumane conditions illustrate the horrors of his detention. The accounts of brutality are chilling, and they paint a harrowing picture of the ruthlessness of the DSS.
Yet, Emeka’s story is not his alone—it is the tale of a family torn apart by circumstances beyond their control. With all his ATM cards held captive by the DSS, his family endures unimaginable hardships. The once-thriving business that sustained them now lies in ruins. Emeka’s children face immense difficulties attending school, and the weight of financial strain, depression, and frustration has taken a toll on his wife.
As the Take It Back movement, led by Barrister Festus Ogun, advocates for justice, the DSS obstructs access to Emeka’s lawyers and family members. The pursuit of justice faces a formidable challenge, with fake court orders and elusive tactics employed to prolong his illegal detention. Nigerians must stand together, united in demanding justice for Emeka Richmond Ngornadi—a symbol of hope, resilience, and unwavering strength in the face of adversity.
We, as Nigerians, are the guardians of justice, the defenders of liberty, and the harbingers of change. The fight for Emeka’s freedom has ignited the spirit of unity and resilience among us all. The time has come to rise against this injustice, to rally behind Emeka, and to never rest until he is reunited with his loved ones.
Emeka Richmond Ngornadi’s story is etched in the hearts of Nigerians—a testament to the power of solidarity, empathy, and justice. Let us come together and raise our voices, for the time has come to break the chains of injustice and pave the way for a brighter future—a future where no one’s voice is silenced, where freedom prevails, and where justice is served for Emeka and every Nigerian who faces a similar plight.