A non-governmental organization, Access to Justice (A2J) has called on the Police to either take Glory Okolie to court or release her unconditionally.

The group warned that it would initiate a fundamental enforcement suit against the Police on behalf of the detainee, if their call were not heeded.

The Police in Owerri, Imo State arrested Glory, a young girl of 22 years on June 17, 2021.

She was accused of being an informant of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN), and labeled ‘militant spy girl’.

“As an organisation that pursues justice for everyone, Access to Justice finds Glory’s case to be especially disturbing because prior to the press release issued by the police and the allegation slapped on her, she had been detained for over 70 days without access to legal representation, a clear violation of her right to fair hearing and a breach of the Police Act, 2020 and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

“Even more worrying is the fact that there was no formal or informal communication made to Glory’s family notifying them of her arrest since June 17, 2021, giving her arrest and her illegal detention the appearance of an abduction and enforced disappearance,” the group said in a statement signed by its Convener, Joseph Otteh and Project Director, Deji Ajare.

Access to Justice therefore expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which Glory has been handled by the Police, especially regarding the violations of her rights, and thus demands that she be charged to court if the Police have evidence to back their claim or release her unconditionally.

They also questioned the integrity of the investigation, which led to the conclusion that she is a spy for IPOB/ESN, and therefore called on the Police Service Commission (PSC) to carry out an independent investigation into the case to determine the substance of the matter and to sanction all persons involved in the violation of the rights of the detainee.

“We demand that the National Assembly should call the IGP to order, and impress on him to ensure that police officers must be seen to employ due process and work within the provisions of the law when dealing with the public at all times,” they declared, warning that should there be a delay or reluctance to take action on the matter, a suit will be filed against all concerned parties to ensure the enforcement of Glory’s fundamental human rights.