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The court did not seat. The reason given was that the judge was indisposed. The only further detail provided was that the she had some speech and voice problem that prevented her from seating.   This was the 3rd consecutive time in three consecutive months that the court could not seat.   This must have come to you as a surprise and may have left some of you angry and disappointed. But we, in the DPA administration, do not feel disappointed as such. We had previously assessed the situation, generally and specifically, and we did not have high expectations of the Nigerian justice system. Otherwise, what did you think that DPA had been lamenting all this while? We saw this happening to ordinary people in Nigeria. We saw justice failing the people so badly. In fact, we created DPA because we knew that this sort of thing has been happening, and we wanted to stop it.   The impeachment hearing in the US, which involved an entire congressional committee acting as judges, many witnesses located in different parts of the world, complex facts involving many privileged  communications, many subpoenas, thousands of depositions, etc, will be completed before a Nigerian court presided over by one judge can seat for four hours on a simple case. So, there is something deeply wrong with the Nigerian courts.   The case of Emeka Ugwuonye is therefore a laboratory experimentation with the problems that gave rise to DPA. So if this could happen to Emeka Ugwuonye, a Harvard trained Nigerian-American lawyer, the leader of a Human Right organization, what will they do to you, if you were in disagreement with them? They may probably have killed you and your family by now. So, the only thing you should draw out of this is that you need to take DPA seriously. You need to understand that you are not safe in this country. You need to register with DPA. You need to take human rights seriously. You need to support DPA, because supporting DPA means supporting yourself.   We were not surprised by the fact that the court did not seat today. We suspected that it would happen. That was why we never bothered to mobilize our members to attend the trial because we did not want them to leave their work and come for a trial that would not hold. In fact, if you noticed, we did not announce today's trial until few hours before the trial. The reason was because we did not want to bring out our members.   Despite our misgivings we are prepared to face the Mr. Bala Ciroma's men in court, The Founder arrived court by 9:45am, escorted by by over ten warders and prison security officials. He was dressed in white brocade with President Buhari-style cap. He was in great spirit, looking gallant, and beaming with smiles as he alighted from the prison vehicle and sighted some of our members he recognized. Yes, despite the no-notice, some of our members still managed to come. Our leader was happy to meet them.   Communicating through his lawyers, the Founder of DPA urged our members to remain strong and focused. Rather than cry or despair, they should see all that happened as vindication of DPA. It all proved us right. We were right to have said that there is intolerable level of injustice in Nigeria and that the people of this country needed to come together to tackle it. This is yet another vindication. We just witnessed the revelation about Abattoir. We have witnessed the continued police atrocities in Nigeria. We are seeing the positive effects of our advocacy in the recent evacuation of Abattoir detainees, which saved the lives of many detainees. We are proud of various DPA interventions and advocacies which have saved lives in Nigeria.   The Founder also thanked the DPA Admin crew, particularly the Rambo team, for the great work they have done in his absence. He sent his love to all his daughters in DPA and all the members.   Thank you.

"Please don't kill my father; leave my father alone". His little kid pleaded. Now he is gone. They killed him...   That fateful day; 20th March 2019, Jumbo Ochigbo Ogar, 42, a two-star  officer with the Nigerian civil Defence Corps, had made a wrong U-turn in a hurry to get his wife and children to school. A traffic warden at the junction, simply described as Idoko, flagged him down. He stopped the car but left the car engine running while he tried to explain to the traffic warden that he meant no disrespect, according to his wife.   As the conversation became heated, Jumbo who was dressed in his official uniform turned off his car engine. That appeared to annoy Idoko, who saw Jumbo-Ochigbo's action as proof of defiance. Suddenly, the beating began as another traffic warden charged onto the scene, cursing and railing against Jumbo.   The new acting Inspector General of Police , Mohammed Adamu ordered full investigation of the matter--  Can the Police be trusted? Will this case  go the way of previous investigations that never saw the light of the day? Will the Acting IGP show good example with this case?   It's a known fact that the Nigeria Police hate anything that discredits the force. They find it difficult to admit any wrong doing and they can go to any length to cover up their tracks just to appear good -  they can kill, lie, prefer false charges on innocent citizens just to conceal the truth. But Nigerians know them for who they are.   Already, they've started on this case with lies and pretence - In his press conference; Force PRO - ACP Frank MBA who was not on the scene of the incident says:   " On contravention, the NSCDC officer himself , who was putting on civil shirt on top of his NSCDC trouser, drove himself with the traffic warden officer to the Nyanya Police Station. It was while he was being asked questions and he was responding that he suddenly collapsed."  he said.   But the wife of the deceased, Ada who witnessed the incident along with her two kids said her husband was beaten to death...   " The Police used baton to beat my husband, dragged him out, hit him on the head until he died right in my presence and that of my kids. Look at the bruises on his leg, that was when they were dragging him on the ground." She said.   Former Attorney-General of the federation and minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, reportedly said about seven years ago that the Police alone  had killed 7,108 persons extra-Judicially in four years. Jumbo- Ochigbo is not part of that statistics, Nkechi Igwetu; the woman killed by a Policeman in Abuja while on her National Youth service is also not part of the statistics. Anita Akapson is also not part of Adoke's analysis. She was shot dead the night she relocated from UK to Nigeria by a trigger happy policeman on Sunday 14th October 2018. Friday Nduka - Malaysia returnee killed by a Police officer named Mike Idem is also not part of Adoke's list. David Legbaraa, a bus driver killed by a Policeman at Whimpy Junction in Portharcourt in Rivers State is not on the list as well. The list is endless and most of the cases took place between last year and this year.   Who will deliver us from the atrocities and onslaught of the Nigeria Police? I checked but found non - Emeka Ugwuonye who rose in defence of innocent Nigerians brutalised by the Police; he speak out against the atrocities of the Police but the Police retaliated by roping him into a murder case of a woman he (Emeka has been) fighting since 2016. He is presently remanded in prison custody. He cannot do anything at least for now.   I also checked on the NBA but that group cannot deliver Nigerians from the brutality of the Police - I don't think they can really help. The Nigerian Senate cannot help either as the President of the federal Republic of Nigeria see things differently and view any move from the present senate with suspicion.   In fact the body language of the President condones impunity and abuse of power. Despite our misery and agony at the hands of the Police, despite the Public outcry against the brutality, torture, killings, suppression, lies of the Police; the President appears cool, indifferent and unperturbed.   Today is exactly 11 days since the gruesome murder of Jumbo Ochigbo but the President is yet to react to the unfortunate incident. This is one too many. I doubt if human life worth anything to our president.   On July 2018, social media space was on fire over Ghanian Police officer who was seen in a viral video assaulting a woman clutching her baby in a banking all. It took Ghanaian President - Nana Akufo-Addo, 24-hours to react to the incident...   " I want to say it here, Policemen are meant to protect citizens, not to assault citizens. So the measures the (IGP) of Police has taken to sanction the erring policeman and try to make sure that these things don't happen again - they have my complete support so that we can stop this incident from proliferating."  He said. This was an assault. No life was lost yet the President of Ghana stood and took a definite stand. He did not try to shield the Police officer.   DPA demands Justice for Jumbo Ochigbo. Our leaders should use this case as water shield moment to assure Nigerians that life, all life matters.   Ifeanyi Calistus, Director Of Information DPA.

Those accusing the Founder of Due Process Advocates (DPA)  Emeka Ugwuonye (Esquire) of encouraging divorce and breaking homes should take a look at the fate that befall Ronke, the slain wife of Lekan Shonde. Consider the calamity that visited that family. Consider the psychological trauma the children may have been subjected. Report had it that after Lekan murdered his wife, he locked the two kids inside the room with the corpse and bolted. The whole incidence that led to this horrible outcome could have been avoided if Ugwuonye's advice were followed. Ugwuonye's  position is very clear.. " No marriage is worth the life of any human being. If your marriage has broken so irretrievably to the threat to life of either partner, the best approach to save the situation is to either separate or divorce" The Lagos high Court on Friday Sentenced Lekan Shonde to death by hanging for killing his wife Ronke.   Lekan  Shonde who was a depot worker in the Apapa area of Lagos State, was found guilty of murdering his wife. It was gathered that the 51 years old beat his wife to death at their home in the Egbeda -Idimu area of Lagos State on the 5th of may 2016. The marriage which was blessed with two children aged Six and four, was said to have been marred with domestic violence. He accused Ronke his wife of sleeping with one Kayode the general manager of a publishing company. Delivering the judgement on Friday, Justice Josephine Oyefeso sentenced Lekan to death by hanging. The Judge maintained that the prosecution proved beyond doubt that Lekan Shonde actually beat his wife to death. Ifeanyi Calistus Director of Information DPA

When I visited Emeka Ugwuonye in prison few days ago, he was in his best - smiling and cracking jokes. He received me warmly and ushered me to a chair. When I tried to find out about the progress of his case, he cut in and assured me that the case is moving on well as he insisted that the case is a waste of his time because the prosecution has no evidence linking him to the said crime for which he is remanded. "Why did you consider it a wise decision to put yourself through all these because of a woman whom you did not even know before her gruesome murder, you have not met her and she was not even a member of DPA yet you've sacrificed almost everything to seek justice for her?" Ugwuonye looked up from the prison warder who was showing him time and looked briefly at the middle distance before he began to speak: " Probably because of my early childhood experiences. I hated injustice with passion. I tend to like to stand with David, not Goliath in a fight but definitely not the other David (laughs). My system revolts against any form of abuse of power and injustice"   he said. Ugwuonye maintained that every turn in the trajectory of his life is divinely ordained: "I am a man who has seen the extremes of life. We were so poor when I was growing up that it was so difficult for us to feed. When I passed the common Entrance Examination to enter secondary school, there was no money and my mum was crying. Indeed, my oldest uncle suggested that i should follow him to learn how to tap palm wine. I would have been a palm wine tapper by now and there would be no DPA or the struggle seeking justice for Cha Cha today (laughs)" "The only thing that stopped this whole thing was that I happened to be the student with the highest score in exams and my teachers insisted that something had to be done" "The EFCC once detained me unlawfully for six months yet I won my case against them. Also I have been privileged enough to attend the same school (Harvard) as the former President of America. I have faced the finest judges America has produced. I have been a guest to president of countries"  he said. " Through this case, i'm going to prove to my detractors and indeed to Nigerians that ..............." I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder, as I turned, I saw my wife already seated for morning devotion. So this visit was in a dream?  Oh! God. Ifeanyi Calistus Director Of Information DPA.

  I have tremendous respect for the man who picks up an idea, stands by it through thick and thin till the idea transforms into reality. That's the definition of a real man. Lily livered individuals capitulate at the least pressure. A person who had no blood in their liver would have no courage and would thus be a coward. Some of our members who were audacious and loud when DD was around and suddenly became quiet at the peak of the moment should be reminded of the immortal words of  Robert H. Schuller  "  Tough Times Never Last, but Tough People do".  Our founder Emeka Ugwuonye will not only come out of this but will come out gallantly. This trial will also give us the opportunity to profile the real supporters of DPA and those phoney individuals who at best can be described as dissemblers praising DD to high heavens yet they are empty. We do not deserve such people. We are serious minded people with steely determination and conviction. We stand by our conviction even when we are threatened. Emeka Ugwuonye will soon come out. Efforts are on top gear. One thing you should know is that  Ugwuonye has a unique orientation. Something that scare many people does not scare him. He does not have plenty money but  does not see that as a problem. To him, "Lack of money is a thing of mind set". In Nigeria as well as most African countries, lack of money is a serious impediment to accomplishing one's purpose but in Western World, it's a different case. You can achieve your purpose as long as you are clear on what you want. It is this western concept that Ugwuonye wants to replicate here. No doubt, it's taking a huge  toll on him. Here, everything is quantified in terms of money. But he never allowed any of these to discourage. Our members that visited him last week sought his opinion on how he feels about the huge amount of money his trial is gulping and the fact that the resources for efficient defence of his case are scarce which may affect the flow of the trial: Emeka laughed    " Before I took this course, I understand clearly the price that comes with it. If a man of my social standing is standing similar trial in the U.S, he may not spend a Kobo from his pocket. The  Legal support system in the U.S is effective. I am highly optimistic that I never considered the lack of money as something that will ever stop DPA from seeking justice for Cha-Cha" " DPA is set to change the mindset and reorients our people. Nothing stops a man who is well determined. The means will come.  I  am proud of our members. They have responded in ways I never imagined. I tell you one thing, DPA is unstoppable".  He declared. Ifeanyi Calistus Director Of Information DPA

From a philosophical dimension, it now appears that all these tribulations and challenges that the DPA Founder has faced in recent times were precisely divined as the testing process, the crucible that he needed to undergo in order to be prepared for the mission ahead of him and which he seeks to pursue through DPA. History shows that every man on an important mission faces a blistering trial period that almost breaks him. The Lord Jesus faced his trials too. That is the moment when every transformational leader must decide whether to pull back or to proceed into the path of danger.

It may be too early to score the Founder of DPA, but we cannot fail to acknowledge the clear things we have seen. He is a tireless worker. His intellect, wisdom and logic are without question. He can sacrifice every comfort for his mission. He is resolute. He does not fear danger. He also does not fear confrontations. Yet, despite his steely qualities, he has extreme tenderness that is totally unbelievable. His demeanor and dispositions remind one of the contradictions of the crocodile. The same jaw that the crocodiles uses to crush bones is the most tender part of its body and that is where it keeps its young for safety, security and protection. Depending on where you stand in the scheme of things, Emeka Ugwuonye could be the most fierce and most ruthless opponent you can have or the cushioning teddy bear that you need for comfort. It just depends. As one of the DPA leaders put it; "He is a great man, loved by all. The enemies are just wasting their time, I tell you" Emeka Ugwuonye is not a government official. He is not a church leader and lays no claim to ecclesiastical or divine motivations. He is not a sports star. He is not a politician. He is not a musical or movie star. But certainly, as you can see, if you cared to watch, he possesses and displays that enigmatic charisma that belongs only to megastars. Yet, when you ask him, he seems not even aware of these things. When asked how he sees the people, his answer is usually short and it depends of which group he focuses on at the time. If he thinks of the children, he would simply reply: "They are adorable". If he thinks of those of us that work closely with him, he will say: "You guys are brave". When he focuses on members in general, he would simply say: "They are smart" or "They are kind". Hardly do you ever get him to give you his complete thought about the people. The most consistent thing he has says has been: "I really love 'em. They are my family". If asked how he deals with the challenges of hostile attacks by those who feel he should be stopped, he shocks you with his answers. There is no iota of bitterness in him toward the people you would expect him to hate. Very strangely, it is as if he believes that those people are helping him somehow. This is where Emeka becomes truly philosophical. He talks about the foil. One day, I asked him to explain what he means by "foil". He said: "The word comes from drama or fiction. A foil is a character who contrasts with another character (usually the hero) to highlight particular qualities of the hero. Satan is a foil character in the story of religion. You need to have Satan roaming the world and wrecking havoc in order to reveal the true character of God. For you to have a hero to put out the fire that is about to burn down the city, you first must have a devilish urchin or a villain who must have set the fire". He comes with this concept of necessary evil. He sees his opponents as necessary for his role. Ironically, he thinks that he should be grateful to them because without them setting the city on fire, he would not have had the opportunity to put out any fire. He thinks that any credit he gets for putting out the fire is owed partly to the evil person that set the fire on. That is the man. DPA is a revolution in the making. Emeka Ugwuonye is an unfinished story. The world should watch out for him. Ifeanyi Calistus Director of Information DPA

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