Group Writes Open Letter To Federal Government, Security Agencies, Judiciary Over Secret Transfer Of Micah Polo’s Gun Running Case To Federal High Court Port Harcourt -

By Uche Alvin

(SOS) OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SECURITY AGENCIES, AND THE JUDICIARY

Subject: The Secret Trial of a Gunrunner and the Threat to Peace in Warri

From: Concerned Elders and Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency
Date: [21/8/2025]

I. INTRODUCTION: WHEN SILENCE BECOMES DANGEROUS

We write with heavy hearts and burning anger over the recent revelations concerning one Maco, a notorious gunrunner arrested for trafficking arms into Warri. We are aware that this case has been hurriedly transferred to Port Harcourt High Court under the cover of secrecy, with moves being made to conduct a secret trial. We say NO to this deliberate conspiracy of silence.

History has taught us, bitterly, that gunrunning, ethnic militia financing, and politically sponsored violence are the seeds that grew into the Warri crises of the 1990s and 2000s, crises that claimed innocent lives, burnt down homes and destroyed the fragile peace of our land.

II. FACTS THAT MUST NOT BE BURIED

Gunrunning is Treason Against the State

Section 217(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution states clearly that “the Federation shall equip the armed forces to suppress insurrection and act in aid of civil authorities.”
When individuals like Maco supplying and buying guns, they are undermining the sovereignty of the State and empowering criminality against the Nigerian people.

The Constitutional Sanctity of Peace and Security

Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution provides:

“The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
A secret trial of a gunrunner directly contradicts this constitutional duty because it undermines transparency, accountability and public trust.

Historical Warning from the Warri Crisis

We remind the Nigerian State that the Warri crisis was fueled by secret arming of factions, with politicians and ethnic manipulators hiding behind the law.

Reports such as the Danjuma Special Report of 2003 and the Obaseki Inquiry warned clearly that failure to deal openly and firmly with the sponsors of violence would invite more bloodshed.

III. QUESTIONS THE GOVERNMENT MUST ANSWER

Why is the trial of Maco and cohorts being shielded from public scrutiny?

Who are the financiers and backers of this criminal enterprise?

Why are those who bought arms to kill innocent people because of ward delineation disputes being protected instead of exposed?

Let it be known: no constitutional exercise, including INEC’s ward delineation as ordered by the Supreme Court, should ever attract bloodshed. Those who buy guns to kill in the name of politics are enemies of democracy.

IV. OUR DEMAND FOR FEDERAL ACTION

We, the elders and stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency, demand as follows:

An Open Trial
The Federal Government, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council (NJC) must ensure that Maco’s trial is conducted in the open, under public observation, not in secrecy. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.
Investigation of Sponsors
Security agencies, including the DSS, Police and Military Intelligence, must investigate and publish the names of all individuals and groups linked to this gunrunning network. The financiers must be prosecuted as accomplices.
Protection of Democratic Order
The Presidency must declare unequivocally that ward delineation, as ordered by the Supreme Court, is a constitutional exercise and not a trigger for violence. Section 287(1) of the Constitution states:

“The decisions of the Supreme Court shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons.”
No gunrunner or political manipulator has the right to subvert this constitutional command.

V. CONCLUSION: JUSTICE OR ANOTHER WARRI CRISIS

Let this government remember the lessons of history: every Warri crisis began with silence over small acts of lawlessness until they exploded into uncontrollable bloodshed.

We say firmly: never again.
The trial of Maco must be public, the sponsors must be exposed and the Nigerian State must choose justice over conspiracy.

If government fails, the people will conclude that the blood of Warri’s innocents is being spilled with the complicity of the State itself.

Signed:

Chief Tiemopere Joshua (President)

Chief Ebikeke T. Goodstime
(Secretary)

Concerned Elders and Stakeholders of

Cc:

The National Security Adviser

The Chief Justice of Nigeria

The Inspector General of Police

The DSS

The EFCC & ICPC

The International Community