Abdul Oroh, a former House of Representatives member, has urged the Federal Government to utilize diplomatic channels to secure the release of Nigerian citizens currently held by Cameroonian authorities.
During a press briefing in Abuja, Oroh, a civil rights lawyer, emphasized the importance of seeking diplomatic solutions following the submission of a petition to the National Assembly on behalf of the detained individuals.
The detainment of these Nigerians occurred on Jan. 5, 2018, at Nera Hotel in Abuja, after which they were deported to Cameroon by security officials.
Following a trial conducted by a military tribunal, they were found guilty of terrorism and secession-related charges and handed life imprisonment sentences.
Expressing the urgent need for intervention, Oroh urged parliament to facilitate the release of the detainees by engaging in dialogue to promote peace and ensure their safe return.
Highlighting the plight of one of the detainees, a 65-year-old former deputy registrar of ABU, Oroh raised concerns over the disproportionate sentencing imposed by Cameroonian authorities.
According to Oroh, Cameroon’s legal framework does not permit sentencing a 65-year-old individual to life imprisonment, leading to a staggering fine of 533 million dollars levied on the detainee, a sum unattainable even by the Cameroonian state.