Owous was reportedly taken into custody in front of a Magistrate’s Court by a team of men identifying themselves as officers of the Intelligence Response Team. This occurred shortly after the court discharged Owous following the withdrawal of charges by the prosecutor, O.S. Oyeyemi.
The Nigerian police have re-arrested prominent Niger-Delta activist Owoupele Eneonekumoh, popularly known as ‘Owous,’ just three days after his release from the Nigeria Correctional Centre, where he spent roughly two months in detention.
Owous was reportedly taken into custody in front of a Magistrate’s Court by a team of men identifying themselves as officers of the Intelligence Response Team. This occurred shortly after the court discharged Owous following the withdrawal of charges by the prosecutor, O.S. Oyeyemi.
A source revealed that the re-arrest was orchestrated at the behest of Dr. Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), who is said to have vowed that the activist “must remain behind bars for 10 years.”
According to the source, plans are underway to charge Owous before the Federal High Court.
Owous, who serves as the Convener of the Reformed Niger-Delta Ex-Agitators Forum, has been a vocal critic of the Amnesty Office, calling for greater transparency and exposing alleged corruption, illegal contract awards, and embezzlement of funds within the agency.
The Forum, through its counsel Dr. S. M. Oyeghe, Esq., had previously filed a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Dr. Otuaro-led PAP, alleging several irregularities.
The alleged irregularities highlighted include breaches of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, in awarding contracts to inactive or non-qualifying companies such as Zeechy Multi-Concept Limited, Triple Two Oil and Gas Ltd, and NexGen Quantum Edge Consultancy Solutions Ltd.
Other allegations include irregular, vague, and duplicated contract descriptions, including contracts awarded to Puah Media Entertainment Network Ltd and payments of public funds into personal accounts, including N131,800,000, N162,412,500, and N5,500,000 to Philip Denis Fayeofuri, Neware Oyakemegbegha, and Abate Doris Inekiengha, respectively.
Another allegation highlighted is the improper awarding of 12 contracts worth over N713 million between June and August 2024 to NexGen Quantum Edge Consultancy Solutions Ltd., a company incorporated only in April 2024.
Owous’ re-arrest has sparked concerns among activists and civil society groups, who argue that it highlights ongoing attempts to suppress criticism of the Amnesty Office.
Arrest and Detention
Owous had been in detention at the Keffi Correctional Centre since his arrest on June 6, 2025, following a petition by Otuaro. The activist was arraigned on June 23 on charges of criminal conspiracy and defamation of character, stemming from allegations he made against Otuaro.
Owous had publicly accused the Amnesty Programme boss of corruption, embezzlement, and the illegal award of contracts.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Otuaro as Administrator of PAP in March 2024, succeeding Maj. Gen. Barry Ndiomu (retd.), who had served as Interim Administrator since his appointment by former President Muhammadu Buhari on September 15, 2022.
Owous’ arrest came shortly after he publicly demanded transparency, accountability, and increased stipends for programme beneficiaries. He was taken to Abuja on June 11, 2025.
According to eyewitnesses, Owous was picked up by heavily armed officers of the Bayelsa State Police Command at Sports Complex Road in Yenagoa—an area locally known as Kpofada Police Outfit. He was later transferred to Abuja and placed in solitary confinement at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) facility.
According to reports, Otuaro’s grudge against Owous stems from the latter’s repeated calls for accountability and his request for an increase in monthly stipends for beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme.
In separate letters to the Chief of Army Staff, Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), also known as the Department of State Services (DSS), and Inspector General of Police, Owous gave notice of his intention to lead a peaceful protest against endemic corruption in the Amnesty Office.
He also accused Otuaro of unfair treatment, plans to siphon increased budgetary allocations for personal gain, and the infiltration of the programme by unauthorised individuals and non-agitators. The letters called for a discreet investigation into the allegations.
Angered by these accusations, Otuaro filed a petition dated May 29, 2025, which led to Owous’s arrest and detention.
