Human rights organisation Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the alleged public flogging of a resident of Emevor Community in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, describing the incident as a grave violation of human rights and an assault on freedom of expression.
The organisation identified the victim as Godspower Okedi, alleging that he was publicly beaten for questioning those in authority over an abandoned infrastructure project in his community.
In a statement, Amnesty International Nigeria said a verified video circulating on social media showed Okedi being held down by several members of the community while he was repeatedly flogged with whips and pieces of wood. The organisation also alleged that the attackers trampled on him in what it described as a deliberate attempt to inflict severe physical harm.
According to Amnesty International, Okedi’s only offence was demanding accountability by asking why a project intended to benefit the community had been abandoned despite public resources being allocated for it.
The rights group said the incident reflects a disturbing trend of intolerance towards dissent and criticism, warning that citizens should never be subjected to violence for demanding transparency and good governance.
It noted that Delta State is home to numerous abandoned public projects and maintained that residents have every constitutional right to question government spending and seek explanations from public office holders without fear of intimidation, torture or public humiliation.
“This act of violence is a violation of human rights and a direct attack on freedom of expression,” the organisation stated, adding that the incident illustrates what it described as growing tyranny at the state level, where individuals allegedly aligned with those in power are emboldened to suppress dissent.
Amnesty International further expressed concern over what it called an increasing pattern of human rights abuses in Delta State, alleging that some local leaders and state-aligned actors were using intimidation and abuse of power to silence critics, whistleblowers and citizens demanding accountability.
The organisation warned that when violence is deployed to shield public officials or influential individuals from legitimate scrutiny over failed or abandoned projects, it fosters corruption, weakens democratic accountability and undermines the rule of law.
Calling for urgent action, Amnesty International urged the Nigerian authorities to conduct a thorough, impartial and independent investigation into the alleged attack and ensure that all those found responsible are brought to justice.
The organisation stressed that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of expression and protects individuals from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
It therefore called on law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities to act swiftly, insisting that the response to the incident would demonstrate whether the constitutional rights of citizens are genuinely protected and whether no individual, regardless of status or influence, is above the law.
