Timi Frank calls for release of Hon Farah Dagogo

…Urges FG, INC, IYC, PANDEF to wade in

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, on Friday, condemned in strong terms the alleged arrest, arraignment and detention of Honourable Farah Dagogo.

He called on the Federal Government to prevail on the issue and effect the release of Dagogo who represents Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency of Rivers State by a Magistrate’s Court in Port Harcourt.

He also called on the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC) and the Pan Niger Delta Forum ( PANDEF) to speak up and condemn the act and ensure that Dagogo is immediately granted bail since the charge against him is a bailable offence.

Dagogo was on Thursday arrested at the PDP governorship screening hall and detained at the Rivers State Government House.

Governor Wike had last Wednesday declared Dagogo wanted for allegedly “hiring cultists to attack the PDP Secretariat in Port Harcourt,” an allegation the lawmaker denied.

Frank who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papau (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, called for the immediate and unconditional release of Hon Dagogo from detention within 24 hours.

He called on the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman to caution and ensure that personnel don’t harass and embarrass innocent citizens, especially those he described as “being framed by political opponents.”

He called on the National Assembly, especially the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to immediately launch an investigation into the arrest and remand episode, “to ensure that Dagogo is not unjustly punished based on politically motivated trumped up charges.”

Frank said: “We know that Hon. Dagogo, an Ijaw leader from the riverine area of Rivers State has obtained nomination forms to contest the Governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and that this kangaroo arrest was meant to prevent him from being screened by the party.

“We know that Dagogo has no immunity, but let him be admitted to bail immediately since the charges against him are bailable.

“Let me warn that his continuous detention may sooner than later disrupt the peace now being experienced in the Niger Delta and its social economic benefits to the Federal Government.

“Dagogo is not small fry in the Niger Delta struggle. We know the role he played in 2015 to ensure that PDP and Wike emerged victorious in Rivers State.

“He has a right to aspire to be governor of Rivers State. So those that are planning to frustrate him with this arrest should think twice by giving due consideration to the prevailing peace in Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta region today.

“As a stakeholder in the Niger Delta region who contributed immensely in ending militancy in the region, I advise the Federal Government to urgently intervene to ensure that this political intimidation against Dagogo is halted because an injury to one is an injury to all.

“I urge the leadership of the INC, IYC and PANDEF to urgently condemn the unjust arrest and remand of Dagogo over frivolous charged and to demand his immediate release.”

Frank also called on the Governors in the Niger Delta Region to wade into the matter as the 2023 general elections draw near.