Lawyer Kevin Okorie Released After Four Months In DIA Detention
Rivers State-based lawyer Kevin Okorie, who was unlawfully detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Abuja for four months, has regained his freedom.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) confirmed his release on Saturday, following sustained intervention efforts.
Okorie was arrested by the Nigerian Navy in Port Harcourt on September 10, 2024, and secretly transferred to Abuja. His alleged offence was not disclosed, and his family was kept uninformed about his whereabouts.
In a statement, the NBA revealed that its National Litigation Committee played a crucial role in securing Okorie’s release.
“In a significant development, Kevin Okorie has been released from custody following the intervention of the National Litigation Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association,” the NBA announced.
The breakthrough came after NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, formally demanded Okorie’s release during a meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff on January 7, 2025.
“Mazi Afam Osigwe emphasised that if Okorie was suspected of any crime, he should be formally charged in court. This demand resulted in his transfer to police custody and eventual release on January 11, 2025,” the statement read.
The NBA disclosed that its National Litigation Committee members, including B.O. Nafagha, Israel Elijah, and the committee’s secretary, Isah Abubakar Aliyu, were present at the police station during Okorie’s release.
The association further confirmed that Okorie had been reunited with his family.
“This swift and effective intervention underscores the NBA’s commitment to defending legal rights and ensuring adherence to the rule of law. It highlights the association’s dedication to justice and the protection of human rights across Nigeria,” the NBA said.
Okorie’s wife, Esther, had previously told FIJ on January 3 that her husband had been granted bail for ₦10 million with a surety, but the family was kept in the dark by the Navy and the DIA throughout the ordeal.
Okorie’s release underscores the critical role of advocacy in ensuring accountability and the protection of fundamental rights.
