The Delta State Police Command has arrested and arraigned three persons in court over the viral video of a man being flogged for complaining about abandoned projects in the state.
The victim, identified as Godspower Okedi, was filmed being ass@ulted in Emevor Community, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, following Facebook posts in which he criticised an abandoned road project linked to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and questioned the conduct of some community leaders.
The disturbing footage, which sparked widespread outrage online, showed Okedi being repeatedly whipped on his back with tree branches by local youth enforcers. He was also struck on the head, forced to dance after the beating and eventually ordered to leave the community.
Reacting to the disturbing video, the command, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, SP Brtight Edafe, said the video immediately drew the attention of the state Commissioner of Police, who directed the Area Commander, Ozoro Area Command, to conduct a swift and discreet investigation.
He mentioned that upon the conclusion of investigations, the police arrested Lucky Okeremu (48), Chairman of Emevor Community, Okiemute Oyibo (46), and Karo Akamakusi (45).
‘’The suspects have since been arraigned before a competent court on charges of conspiracy to commit felony, assault occasioning harm, conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, and threatening the life of the victim, contrary to Sections 516, 355, 249(e), and 86 respectively of the Criminal Code Law, Cap. C21, Vol. I, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects still at large.”
