Family cries out over arrest, detention journalist Amieyeofori by DSS

Published

7 months ago

July 16, 2025

The family of journalist and former African Independent Television, AIT, staff, Tekena Amieyeofori, has cried out following his arrest and detention by the Department of State Services, DSS, since March 10, 2025.

His reportedly abduction, as the family described it, happened in Abuja over his role in exposing alleged corruption within the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC.

Amieyeofori, also serving as the National Secretary of the Niger Delta Youth Synergy & Co., was arrested alongside Comrade Goodluck Braide, the group’s President, after they submitted a petition addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NUPRC, Engineer Gbenga Komolafe.

The petition, which Amieyeofori co-signed, alleged wide-ranging infractions, including egregious corruption, poor implementation of the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Policy, and the incompetent regulation of the upstream petroleum sector.

The group, in the letter, had condemned the activities of the commission, which amounted to an “infraction of the statutory mandate of the commission under Engineer Gbenga Komolafe.”

Since their arrest, Amieyeofori has reportedly been denied access to his family, legal counsel, and medical attention. Concerns over his continued detention and well-being have grown, especially as attempts by his lawyers to secure access to him have gone unanswered.

In a formal appeal to the DSS, a law firm representing the family of Amieyeofori has requested immediate access to the detained journalist and called for his release on bail.

The letter, dated July 7, 2025, was issued by Steel Attorneys, a firm of legal practitioners based in Abuja, and addressed to the Director General of the DSS, with attention to the agency’s Legal Services Department.

In the letter, signed by Tamunotonye Ekundayo, the firm stated that it was acting on the instructions of Amieyeofori’s family. The detained journalist, they reminded the DSS, is a respected media practitioner, pro-democracy activist, and human rights advocate who was arrested on March 10, 2025, by operatives of the DSS in the Lokogoma area of Abuja.

“Since his arrest, [he] has been in your custody till date,” the lawyers wrote. “As such, we request that he should be granted access to his lawyers, family and ultimately be released on bail, being the breadwinner of his home, pending the conclusion of investigation.”

Citing legal precedents and international obligations binding on Nigeria, the letter referenced the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the United Nations Charter, all of which, the firm noted, “solidly guarantee the rights of detainees to legal representation and attorneys of their choice.”

The legal team urged the DSS to respond promptly and favorably to the request, adding, “Whilst anticipating your prompt and favourable response, please accept our kind regards.”

However, no response was received from the agency.

A follow-up reminder was sent and acknowledged by the DSS on July 9, 2025. In that correspondence, human rights lawyer M.D. Abubakar strongly criticised the agency’s alleged pattern of unconstitutional detentions.

“Sadly, as experience has shown, the service has an unconstitutional disdain, disregard and contempt of granting access to persons under detention,” Abubakar wrote.

“Please note that the right of detainees to access attorneys of their choice and to prompt and adequate representation is a right protected by the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, the UN Charter, and other international treaties and best practices which solidly guarantee the rights of detainees to legal representation and attorneys of their choice.”

As of the time of filing this report, the DSS has neither acknowledged the petitions publicly nor commented on the circumstances surrounding Amieyeofori’s prolonged detention.

However, a family member told DAILY POST that the secret police has finally allowed their legal counsel to see Amieyeofori on Tuesday.

Queen Esther Charles Alikor (née Amieyeofori), the elder sister to the journalist, told DAILY POST earlier that:

“The arrest of Dr. Tekena Amieyeofori, my brother, by the DSS has caused the entire family gross pain, affliction and agony. A lot has gone wrong in the family due to his unexpected absence, things that will break him down when he gets to hear it.

“They took him away, deprived him of access to his family. This is oppression and intimidation. DSS, release and free Dr. Tekena Amieyeofori. This is on behalf of the family.”

Gunmen k!ll President General of Ogidi community and one other in Anambra.

Published

5 hours ago

February 7, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Unidentified gunmen, suspected to be cultists, have k!lled a community leader and one other person in Anambra State.

The President-General of Ogidi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Ikwuka Okoye, popularly known as Anumili (pictured above), was k!lled on Friday, Feb. 6.

The attack was alleged to have been carried out by members of a rival cult group in revenge for the de@th of their leader, who was arrested and k!lled by local security operatives.

During the attack, which took place at the School Field, Ogidi, another man whose identity has yet to be ascertained was also gunned down.

The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Saturday.

Ikenga said the incident is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command regrets the murd£r of the President-General of the Ogidi community and one other person. The incident, which occurred on the evening of February 6, 2026, at the School Field, Ogidi, is allegedly linked to the recent capture and k!lling of a known notorious cultist within the community.

“Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations. The command is currently working with eyewitness accounts and other available intelligence to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

“The Anambra State Police Command assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice.

“Residents are urged to remain calm and cooperate with the police as investigations continue.

“Further developments will be communicated in due course.”

Police bust syndicate behind nude photo blackmail in Lagos

Published

20 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos, have apprehended three suspects who allegedly run a cyber blackmail and extortion scheme in the state.

According to the spokesperson of the unit, DSP Ovie Ewhubare, the suspects get a hold of their victims explicit photos and then threaten to release them if a ransom is not paid.

He said that the suspects, two males and a female, were apprehended after a petition was filed by a complainant who reported being repeatedly threatened by unknown individuals demanding money.

“The complainant received several phone calls in which the callers threatened to release her nude photographs to the public if she failed to pay them. Acting out of fear and emotional distress, she transferred money to the suspects.

The situation escalated when the suspects demanded an additional N10 million, prompting her to formally petition the police,” he said

The police imagemaker state dthat upon receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner of Police, PSFU, Mr Kayode Ojapinwa, ordered the immediate deployment of operatives to investigate the matter.

“The investigation led to the arrest of the three suspects. Investigations revealed that one of the suspects gained unlawful access to the complainant’s mobile device and fraudulently transferred her nude photographs to his own device. Further findings indicated that he conspired with the other suspects and other accomplices currently at large to demand and receive money from the complainant in several tranches,” he said

According to him, the suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The image maker said that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and to recover all proceeds of the alleged crime.

Catholic Priest Collapses And D!es In Front Of Congregation While Walking To Tabernacle To Return Holy Communion

Published

24 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

A Catholic priest has tragically passed away after suddenly collapsing in front of the congregation during Sunday mass.

The tragic incident took place last Sunday, February 1 in Wiesmath in the district of Wiener Neustadt, Austria.

Shortly after administering Holy Communion, 59-year-old priest Raimund Beisteiner was about to return the host to the tabernacle when he “suddenly” collapsed, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Vienna.

“Despite immediate professional assistance, he di£d in the church,” the statement said.

The mayor of Wiesmath, Erich Rasner, had also attended the Mass with many other believers and witnessed the dramatic scenes.

The shock in Wiesmath at the loss of the popular priest is great. Beisteiner had shaped the spiritual life of the parish for almost two decades and was highly regarded far beyond the community.

Rasner praised him as an “extremely conscientious, sensitive priest” and also emphasized the personal loss of a friendship that had grown over many years.

A prayer service was organized at short notice for the late priest. It was attended by numerous priests from the deanery as well as Archbishop Josef Grünwidl.