{"id":4727,"date":"2025-08-21T11:40:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T11:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/21\/group-writes-open-letter-to-federal-government-security-agencies-judiciary-over-secret-transfer-of-micah-polos-gun-running-case-to-federal-high-court-port-harcourt\/"},"modified":"2025-08-21T11:40:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T11:40:00","slug":"group-writes-open-letter-to-federal-government-security-agencies-judiciary-over-secret-transfer-of-micah-polos-gun-running-case-to-federal-high-court-port-harcourt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/21\/group-writes-open-letter-to-federal-government-security-agencies-judiciary-over-secret-transfer-of-micah-polos-gun-running-case-to-federal-high-court-port-harcourt\/","title":{"rendered":"Group Writes Open Letter To Federal Government, Security Agencies, Judiciary Over Secret Transfer Of Micah Polo\u2019s Gun Running Case To Federal High Court Port Harcourt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Uche Alvin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(SOS) OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SECURITY AGENCIES, AND THE JUDICIARY<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subject: The Secret Trial of a Gunrunner and the Threat to Peace in Warri<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From: Concerned Elders and Stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency
Date: [21\/8\/2025]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I. INTRODUCTION: WHEN SILENCE BECOMES DANGEROUS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

II. FACTS THAT MUST NOT BE BURIED<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Gunrunning is Treason Against the State<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Section 217(2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution states clearly that \u201cthe Federation shall equip the armed forces to suppress insurrection and act in aid of civil authorities.\u201d
    When individuals like Maco supplying and buying guns, they are undermining the sovereignty of the State and empowering criminality against the Nigerian people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. The Constitutional Sanctity of Peace and Security<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution provides:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.\u201d
      A secret trial of a gunrunner directly contradicts this constitutional duty because it undermines transparency, accountability and public trust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. Historical Warning from the Warri Crisis<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        III. QUESTIONS THE GOVERNMENT MUST ANSWER<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Why is the trial of Maco and cohorts being shielded from public scrutiny?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Who are the financiers and backers of this criminal enterprise?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Why are those who bought arms to kill innocent people because of ward delineation disputes being protected instead of exposed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Let it be known: no constitutional exercise, including INEC\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        IV. OUR DEMAND FOR FEDERAL ACTION<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        We, the elders and stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency, demand as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. An Open Trial
          The Federal Government, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council (NJC) must ensure that Maco\u2019s 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. 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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. 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:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          “The decisions of the Supreme Court shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons.\u201d
          No gunrunner or political manipulator has the right to subvert this constitutional command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          V. CONCLUSION: JUSTICE OR ANOTHER WARRI CRISIS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          If government fails, the people will conclude that the blood of Warri\u2019s innocents is being spilled with the complicity of the State itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Signed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Chief Tiemopere Joshua (President)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Chief Ebikeke T. Goodstime
          (Secretary)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Concerned Elders and Stakeholders of<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Cc:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The National Security Adviser<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The Chief Justice of Nigeria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The Inspector General of Police<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The DSS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The EFCC & ICPC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The International Community<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          By Uche Alvin (SOS) OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SECURITY AGENCIES, AND THE JUDICIARY…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4726,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_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}},"categories":[13],"tags":[1392,1394,1393],"class_list":["post-4727","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-group-writes-open-letter-to-federal-government","tag-judiciary-over-secret-transfer-of-micah-polos-gun-running-case-to-federal-high-court-port-harcourt","tag-security-agencies"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/a72bad84-04dc-4e20-ab05-0b269d10fd00-1.jpg?fit=900%2C600&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"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":4727,"position":0},"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 "Crime"","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":4737,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/25\/just-in-ijaw-stakeholders-group-writes-open-letter-to-federal-government-nsa-nigerian-security-agencies-calls-for-investigation-of-inec-over-refusal-to-publish-warri-federal-constituency-final-del\/","url_meta":{"origin":4727,"position":1},"title":"JUST IN: Ijaw Stakeholders Group Writes Open Letter To Federal Government, NSA, Nigerian Security Agencies, Calls For Investigation Of INEC Over Refusal To Publish Warri Federal Constituency Final Delineation Report","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 25, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Esther David OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER (NSA), SECURITY AGENCIES, AND ALL NIGERIANS OF CONSCIENCE From: Ijaw Stakeholders of Warri Federal ConstituencyDate: [25\/8\/2025] SUBJECT: ENOUGH OF THE INJUSTICE: INVESTIGATE INEC\u2019S DELIBERATE REFUSAL TO PUBLISH THE SUPREME COURT\u2013ORDERED FINAL WARD DELINEATION RESULT FOR WARRI WHEN\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Electoral"","block_context":{"text":"Electoral","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/electoral\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_2100-1.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_2100-1.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_2100-1.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_2100-1.jpg?fit=710%2C400&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"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":4727,"position":2},"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 "News"","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, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_3748.jpg?fit=775%2C655&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_3748.jpg?fit=775%2C655&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4239,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/07\/02\/just-in-urhobo-ijaw-stakeholders-group-sends-another-powerful-open-letter-to-presidency-nsa-inec-international-communities-over-the-recent-apprehension-of-the-younger-brother-of-ayiri-emami-who\/","url_meta":{"origin":4727,"position":3},"title":"JUST IN: Urhobo, Ijaw Stakeholders Group Sends Another Powerful Open Letter To Presidency, NSA, INEC, International Communities Over The Recent Apprehension Of The Younger Brother Of Ayiri Emami, Who Was Caught With A Truckload Of Hard Drugs Worth Over A Billion Naira, And The Issue Of The Itsekiri Born Former British Soldier Micah Polo, Who Was Also Apprehended By Security Operatives Over Gun Running, Calls On The Government To Prosecute Culprits Adequately","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"July 2, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENCY, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER, INEC, STAKEHOLDERS, NIGERIANS AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY RE: THE DANGEROUS DESPERATION OF THE ITSEKIRIS \u2013 FROM LIES TO VIOLENCE TO STOP WARD DELINEATION IN WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY To Whom It May Concern: We are compelled to bring to your attention the disturbing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","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_0462-2-1.jpg?fit=766%2C578&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_0462-2-1.jpg?fit=766%2C578&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_0462-2-1.jpg?fit=766%2C578&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/img_0462-2-1.jpg?fit=766%2C578&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4785,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/09\/06\/rights-group-tackles-warri-south-lga-chairman-agbateyiniro-weyinmi-over-recent-violence-in-warri-federal-constituency-alleges-weyinmi-promoting-ethnic-crisis-in-warri\/","url_meta":{"origin":4727,"position":4},"title":"Rights Group Tackles Warri South LGA Chairman, Agbateyiniro Weyinmi Over Recent Violence In Warri Federal Constituency, Alleges Weyinmi Promoting Ethnic Crisis In Warri","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"September 6, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin OPEN LETTER TO THE DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT BY: WARRI FRONTLINE ADVOCATEDATE: [6\/9\/2025] ON THE EVIL ACTIVITIES OF HON. AGBATEYINIRO WEYINMI, EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF WARRI SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA Your Excellency, We are compelled by conscience and the urgent need to safeguard peace in Warri to cry out\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Crime"","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\/09\/img_2406-1.jpg?fit=975%2C595&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_2406-1.jpg?fit=975%2C595&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_2406-1.jpg?fit=975%2C595&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_2406-1.jpg?fit=975%2C595&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5256,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/05\/ward-delineation-group-writes-open-letter-to-federal-government-inec-office-of-the-national-security-adviser-over-delayed-implementation-of-warri-federal-constituency-ward-delineation-report\/","url_meta":{"origin":4727,"position":5},"title":"WARD DELINEATION: Group Writes Open Letter To Federal Government, INEC, Office Of The National Security Adviser Over Delayed Implementation Of Warri Federal Constituency Ward Delineation Report","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"January 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Esther David OPEN LETTER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA,THE INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION (INEC),AND THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER (NSA)DATE: 5\/1\/2026 Defiance of the Supreme Court: Illegal Wards, Invalid Elections and the Collapse of Democracy in Warri This is not a letter written in peace. It is written in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6739.jpg?fit=743%2C412&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6739.jpg?fit=743%2C412&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6739.jpg?fit=743%2C412&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_6739.jpg?fit=743%2C412&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfDfBE-1ef","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4727","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4727"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4727\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4726"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4727"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4727"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4727"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}