The Human Rights, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders’ Foundation (HURIDE) and the Campaign for Democracy (CD) South East Zone have called on the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to grant amnesty to three detained native doctors as part of the celebrations marking his three years in office.

In a joint statement signed by HURIDE’s Executive Director and CD South East Zonal Chairman, Dede Uzor A. Uzor, the groups urged the governor to consider the release of Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki from Oba, Eke Hit from Okija, and Onyeze Jesus from Nkpor. They described their release as a significant gesture of goodwill for their families during this period.

The trio were arrested for allegedly using social media to promote ostentatious lifestyles and criminal activities, which the rights groups acknowledged had negatively influenced many youths. According to them, such content misled young people into believing that success could only be achieved through fraudulent means, including internet scams and ritual practices.

While recognizing the impact of their actions, HURIDE and CD expressed confidence that the detainees had learned their lessons. They appealed to Governor Soludo to secure their release on the condition that they sign an undertaking to abandon such practices in accordance with the state’s laws.

“Since their arrest, we believe they have learned a big lesson. Governor Soludo should make them commit to discontinuing such crude and unethical activities,” the statement read.

The groups also commended the governor’s efforts in transforming Anambra, particularly his achievements in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area.

“We applaud Governor Soludo for his revolutionary development in Okpoko, which has been transformed into a modern city. Our team of human rights advocates visited the area and was surprised by the level of progress,” they said.

Urging the governor to show compassion, they stated, “Governor Soludo should allow them to go home and sin no more. To err is human, and to forgive is divine. Some of them have spent over two months in detention. We plead that the governor reviews their cases and grants them freedom.”