The House of Representatives Thursday condemned the alleged illegal detention of a Nigerian, Okumah Chika, and discriminatory arrests of other Nigerians in the Republic of Benin.
Daily Trust reports that Chika, who legitimately and legally resides and works in the Republic of Benin, was alleged to have been arrested by the country’s police on April 18, 2023.
The house was concerned that Chika, who after his undergraduate programme in the Republic of Benin, worked as an administrative staff at ESFAM University in Port Novo, was being incarcerated at the Akpro-Missérété Prison since April 26, 2023, over allegations of internet fraud.
In a motion jointly moved Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) and 10 others, the lawmakers further expressed concern that after a series of investigations which confirmed that Chika was legally employed by ESFAM University and that his job schedule included processing admissions, facilitating transcripts, academic guidance and similar duties, he was still being held in detention.
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The house, therefore, resolved to mandate the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights and Diaspora, to investigate the incessant mistreatment of Nigerians living in the Republic of Benin and report within two weeks for further legislative action.
