{"id":4507,"date":"2025-07-22T07:17:02","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T07:17:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/07\/22\/no-one-must-be-above-the-law-wether-royalty-or-not-says-rights-group-calls-for-prosecution-of-all-involved-in-delta-arms-smuggling-deal\/"},"modified":"2025-07-22T07:17:02","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T07:17:02","slug":"no-one-must-be-above-the-law-wether-royalty-or-not-says-rights-group-calls-for-prosecution-of-all-involved-in-delta-arms-smuggling-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/07\/22\/no-one-must-be-above-the-law-wether-royalty-or-not-says-rights-group-calls-for-prosecution-of-all-involved-in-delta-arms-smuggling-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cNo One Must Be Above The Law Wether Royalty Or Not\u201d Says Rights Group, Calls For Prosecution Of All Involved In Delta Arms Smuggling Deal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>By Uche Alvin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>IJAW STAKEHOLDERS OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PRESS RELEASE<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Date: July 19, 2025<br \/>Title:<br \/>NOISE IS NOT POPULATION. PROPAGANDA IS NOT POWER. NOBODY IS ABOVE THE LAW.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nigeria stands on the edge of a dangerous silence. A silence too loud to ignore. A silence funded by stolen oil, soaked in blood and driven by the fear of confronting those who hide behind crowns, uniforms and outdated lies. But today, we speak not just for ourselves, we speak for history, for justice and for the soul of the Nigerian nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What do you call a people who don\u2019t have the land but claim ownership?<br \/>What do you call a group who lack the numbers but control the narrative?<br \/>What do you call a kingdom that was never founded on land, law or lineage but on colonial convenience?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We call it what it is: fraud wearing a crown, lies armed with guns and a minority forcing its will on the majority through lies, manipulation and gunrunning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>THE GUNS BEHIND THE THRONES<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recent revelations following the DSS arms raid in Ebuzo, Asaba, have confirmed what Niger Deltans have whispered for too long. Illegal arms are flooding our communities not from unknown sources but from well-dressed warlords sitting in royal councils, political meetings and oil surveillance contracts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Edema. Maki Polo. The names were mentioned. Guns were found. A police officer died.<br \/>But what happened after?<br \/>Nothing. No press statement. No trial. No prosecution. Only silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Who are they protecting? Why are names being shielded?<br \/>Why has the Commissioner of Police not addressed the death of his own officer during a shootout with DSS agents?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The truth is simple and painful: The arms dealers wear agbadas. Some wear crowns. Some wear uniforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>INEC, WHERE IS YOUR COURAGE?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We turn now to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).<br \/>For over a decade, the Ijaw people followed the rule of law, seeking delineation, not domination. Through court cases, petitions and demographic proof, we demanded representation based on population, geography and truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>INEC listened. It began the process. But now, when the maps have been drawn and the facts confirmed, manipulation is creeping in. Lies from those who shout the loudest, not those who number the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We ask:<br \/>Why is INEC afraid to publish the final ward delineation in Warri?<br \/>Why should the Ijaw and Urhobos majority remain underrepresented to please those who are politically loud but numerically few?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>INEC must not bend to threats or tribal blackmail.<br \/>Census is fact. Court is law. History is clear. The Ijaws and the Urhobos are the majority. Give us our voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>THE CROWN THAT COVERS CRIME<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What kind of monarchy operates from the shadows of gun deals?<br \/>What kind of throne fears population headcounts?<br \/>What kind of kingdom needs media blackmail to survive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let it be made plain, the Olu of Warri\u2019s territorial claims are built on colonial fiction.<br \/>Portuguese explorer Pacheco Pereira, in 1485, documented Ijaw settlements in Escravos and Forcados, decades before Ginuwa even set foot in the Delta. There was no Itsekiri presence. The Ijaws were there, trading, governing and living on ancestral land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet today, the same people who arrived as refugees now claim to be landlords?<br \/>The same people who do not even dominate two wards now want to dictate to a federal commission?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT\u2019S DANGEROUS SILENCE<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To the federal government: how long will you watch this injustice grow?<br \/>How long will you protect those named in illegal arms investigations because they are close to power?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How long will DSS arrests go nowhere?<br \/>How long will INEC wait to act on data it already verified?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The people are watching.<br \/>The region is boiling.<br \/>And Nigeria cannot afford another crisis built on cowardice and lies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>OUR STAND IS CLEAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We will not be silent while arms flow from royal courtyards.<br \/>We will not be quiet while INEC delays justice.<br \/>We will not sit back while the federal government protects those who arm the killers of our children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are Ijaw. We are the owners of the land. We are the majority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>OUR DEMANDS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let INEC immediately publish the finalized delineation for Warri Federal Constituency based on population and geography.<br \/>Let the DSS make public the full findings of the Asaba arms raid.<br \/>Let all persons mentioned in the arms confession be arrested, tried, and prosecuted, regardless of title.<br \/>Let the Nigerian government declare that no one, king or colonel is above the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cYou cannot lie louder than the truth. You cannot shoot faster than justice. And you cannot rule where you have no roots.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Enough of the noise. Enough of the cover-ups. Enough of the fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Niger Delta is watching. The nation is waiting.<br \/>Let the truth speak now or let the silence bury the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Signed,<br \/>Chief Tiemopere Joshua<br \/>(President)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Chief Ebikeke T. Goodstime<br \/>(Secretary)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Uche Alvin IJAW STAKEHOLDERS OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY PRESS RELEASE Date: July 19, 2025Title:NOISE&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4506,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[13],"tags":[1277,1278],"class_list":["post-4507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-no-one-must-be-above-the-law-wether-royalty-or-not-says-rights-group","tag-calls-for-prosecution-of-all-involved-in-delta-arms-smuggling-deal"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1178-1.jpg?fit=604%2C907&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4471,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/07\/21\/just-in-rights-group-urge-delta-state-government-dss-to-expose-arms-running-syndicates-prosecute-sponsors-says-no-crown-throne-title-should-be-above-the-law\/","url_meta":{"origin":4507,"position":0},"title":"JUST IN: Rights Group Urge Delta State Government, DSS To Expose Arms Running Syndicates, Prosecute Sponsors, Says No Crown, Throne, Title Should Be Above The Law","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"July 21, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Esther David IJAW STAKEHOLDERS OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY PRESS BRIEFING Date: July 19, 2025Title:NO CROWN, NO UNIFORM, NO NAME ABOVE THE LAWExpose the Arms Syndicate. Prosecute the Sponsors. Let Justice Speak. The blood of this land cries out, not for pity but for justice. And justice, if it must\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Crime&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Crime","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/crime\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1122-1-3.jpg?fit=683%2C536&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1122-1-3.jpg?fit=683%2C536&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1122-1-3.jpg?fit=683%2C536&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4647,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/14\/just-in-niger-delta-group-kicks-against-planned-release-of-ayiri-emamis-younger-brother-involved-in-drugs-smuggling-says-his-release-will-be-a-breach-of-the-constitution-of-the-federal-repu\/","url_meta":{"origin":4507,"position":1},"title":"JUST IN: Niger Delta Group Kicks Against Planned Release Of Ayiri Emami\u2019s Younger Brother Involved In Drugs Smuggling, Says His Release Will Be A Breach Of The Constitution Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 14, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Esther David INTRODUCTION:LAW CANNOT BE SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER The Niger Delta is watching closely. We refuse to stand by as the rule of law is tested by the unfolding criminal case involving Emami Ajetsibogho, younger brother of controversial Itsekiri figure Ayiri Emami, who is accused of smuggling\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":4648,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/14\/just-in-niger-delta-group-kicks-against-planned-release-of-ayiri-emamis-younger-brother-involved-in-drugs-smuggling-says-his-release-will-be-a-breach-of-the-constitution-of-the-federal-repu-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":4507,"position":2},"title":"JUST IN: Niger Delta Group Kicks Against Planned Release Of Ayiri Emami\u2019s Younger Brother Involved In Drugs Smuggling, Says His Release Will Be A Breach Of The Constitution Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 14, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Esther David INTRODUCTION:LAW CANNOT BE SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER The Niger Delta is watching closely. We refuse to stand by as the rule of law is tested by the unfolding criminal case involving Emami Ajetsibogho, younger brother of controversial Itsekiri figure Ayiri Emami, who is accused of smuggling\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/002b117b-471a-45e8-9df0-c9caf516d2c2-1.jpg?fit=803%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/002b117b-471a-45e8-9df0-c9caf516d2c2-1.jpg?fit=803%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/002b117b-471a-45e8-9df0-c9caf516d2c2-1.jpg?fit=803%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/002b117b-471a-45e8-9df0-c9caf516d2c2-1.jpg?fit=803%2C1080&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4725,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/20\/our-judiciary-must-not-aid-criminality-says-niger-delta-stakeholders-as-they-kick-against-secret-transfer-of-micah-polos-guns-smuggling-case-to-federal-high-court-port-har\/","url_meta":{"origin":4507,"position":3},"title":"\u201cOur Judiciary Must Not Aid Criminality\u201d Says Niger Delta Stakeholders, As They Kick Against Secret Transfer Of Micah Polo\u2019s Guns Smuggling Case To Federal High Court, Port Harcourt","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin We, the Niger Delta Justice Group, issue this urgent and emphatic press statement to alert the Nigerian public, civil society, and the international community to an unfolding judicial breach of monumental proportions. We have received credible and troubling intelligence that Suit No. FHC\/ASB\/84C\/2025 \u2013 Federal Republic of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Crime&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Crime","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/crime\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1122-1-1.jpg?fit=683%2C536&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1122-1-1.jpg?fit=683%2C536&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1122-1-1.jpg?fit=683%2C536&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4461,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/07\/20\/niger-delta-group-raises-alarm-over-plots-to-sweep-itsekiri-born-british-soldier-micah-polo-gun-smuggling-case-and-ariyi-emamis-younger-brother-drug-smuggling-case-under-the-carpet\/","url_meta":{"origin":4507,"position":4},"title":"Niger Delta Group Raises Alarm Over Plots To Sweep Itsekiri Born British Soldier, Micah Polo Gun Smuggling Case And Ariyi Emami\u2019s Younger Brother Drug Smuggling Case Under The Carpet","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"July 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin AN OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, NSA, DSS, NIGERIANS AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY: EXPOSING THE DANGEROUS COLLUSION AND IMPUNITY IN ARMS SMUGGLING AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES Date: July 16, 2025 To: The Federal Government of Nigeria The National Security Adviser (NSA) The Directorate of State Security (DSS)\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1122-2-1.jpg?fit=683%2C1175&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1122-2-1.jpg?fit=683%2C1175&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_1122-2-1.jpg?fit=683%2C1175&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4889,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/10\/13\/just-in-rights-group-writes-open-letter-to-delta-state-government-national-security-adviser-department-of-state-services-dss-on-arrest-of-high-profile-gun-runner-and-recovery-of-military-grade-we\/","url_meta":{"origin":4507,"position":5},"title":"JUST IN: Rights Group Writes Open Letter To Delta State Government, National Security Adviser, Department Of State Services (DSS) On Arrest Of High Profile Gun Runner And Recovery Of Military-Grade Weapons In Delta","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"October 13, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Esther David OPEN LETTER TO THE DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT, THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER (NSA), AND THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE SERVICES (DSS) On the Arrest of High-Profile Gunrunner and Recovery of Military-Grade Weapons in Delta State13\/9\/2025 We, the peace-loving people of Warri and its environs, extend our profound appreciation to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_3748.jpg?fit=775%2C655&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_3748.jpg?fit=775%2C655&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, 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