Human Rights Lawyer Petitions IGP Over Detention of Edo cleric

Apostle Kassy Chukwu, the founder of Peniel of God’s Power International Ministries in Benin, Edo State, has been illegally arrested and detained by the Nigeria Police Force, following a complaint by Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, the founder of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, Warri, Delta State. Prophet Jeremiah accused Apostle Kassy of defaming him on Facebook.

Apostle Kassy was first arrested by the police on May 6, 2022, and released the next day. He was then rearrested by the INTERPOL on July 6, 2022, and taken to the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Abuja, from Benin, where he remains in custody.

A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, demanding the immediate release of Apostle Kassy. He said the police had abused its power and violated the rights of Apostle Kassy, who is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

In his petition, titled “Illegal detention of Apostle Kassy Chukwu by the police on instigation of prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin,” dated July 11,2022, which was obtained by our correspondent in Uyo on Tuesday, Effiong said the police had allowed itself to be used as a tool of oppression and personal vendetta by an influential member of the society who claimed to be “a man of God”.

He said, “I have been informed of the arrest and detention of Apostle Kassy Chukwu, the founder of Peniel of God’s Power International Ministries in Benin, Edo State, by the Nigeria Police Force, based on a complaint by Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, the founder of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, Warri, Delta State.

“Prophet Jeremiah alleged that Apostle Kassy defamed him in some Facebook comments.

“Regardless of the allegations against Apostle Kassy, it is unacceptable that the police has once again been used as a tool of oppression and personal vendetta by an influential member of the society who claims to be “a man of God”

“On Sunday, July 10, 2022, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, visited the FCIID in Abuja and tried to see Apostle Kassy but was denied access to him. He was also not allowed to give him the food that he brought for him.

“Every suspect in custody has a right to visitation. Every person is innocent until proven guilty as stated in Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution.

“Apostle Kassy’s detention is a clear violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty as guaranteed by Section 35 of the Constitution. The police should know that there is a cost for impunity and violation of the rights of citizens.

“It is outrageous that the INTERPOL, a body that is meant to deal with serious international crimes, has been misused in Nigeria and is being used by anyone to settle personal scores. This is disgraceful and condemnable.

“To the best of my knowledge, no court in Nigeria has issued a warrant for the arrest and detention of Apostle Kassy. It is shameful that despite persistent demands by Nigerians for the reform of the police, the rot, culture of human right abuses and endemic lawlessness in the Force is getting worse by the day.

“I wonder why Prophet Jeremiah has not sued Apsotle Kassy for defamation in a competent court of law, but rather uses the police to harass him.

“I urge the IGP to order the immediate release of Apostle Kassy and investigate the abuse of police powers in this case.

“We cannot tolerate the vicious use of the police for sinister purposes by individuals who claim to be men of God.”