NBA Reacts To Controversy: Pastor Detained In Alleged Attempt On FCT Minister’s Life

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN), has urged the Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Police Force to either charge Pastor Tombari Joseph Gbeneol to court or release him immediately following his detention over an alleged plot to assassinate the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Pastor Gbeneol, based in Port Harcourt, was reportedly arrested after a leaked phone conversation allegedly implicated him and former Rivers State Government Secretary Tammy Danagogo in a plan to recruit foreign nationals, including Israelis, to target the former governor. The conversation quickly went viral, prompting police action and the pastor’s subsequent detention.

Addressing the situation, Osigwe condemned the prolonged detention without formal charges, describing it as a violation of constitutional rights.

In a statement, he said:

“Reports from Rivers State regarding the continued detention of Port Harcourt-based Pastor Tombari Joseph Gbeneol raise serious constitutional and rule-of-law concerns that require immediate attention. The circumstances surrounding his arrest—allegedly connected to an assassination plot—and his detention for nearly two weeks without charge strike at the core of the fundamental liberties guaranteed under Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.”

He emphasized that while law enforcement has a critical responsibility to protect national security and public officials, such measures must operate strictly within constitutional boundaries.

“National security considerations do not suspend constitutional guarantees, nor do they justify prolonged or indefinite detention without due process. The Constitution guarantees personal liberty and safeguards against arbitrary arrest. Anyone suspected of a criminal offence must be informed of the allegations and brought before a competent court within the legally prescribed timeframe. Detention beyond these limits without charge or valid remand is unlawful, regardless of the severity of the allegation.”

Osigwe expressed particular concern that Pastor Gbeneol had remained in custody without being formally charged, stressing that “allegations, however serious, remain allegations until tested in an open court.“

He further stated:

“The presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of criminal justice and must not be undermined by investigative delays, media speculation, or executive discretion. We therefore call on the Nigeria Police Force to comply fully with the law by either charging Pastor Tombari Joseph Gbeneol before a competent court without delay or releasing him if there is insufficient evidence for prosecution. Prolonged detention without judicial oversight is unacceptable and erodes public confidence in law enforcement institutions.”

Osigwe also urged that any investigation into the matter be conducted professionally, transparently, and without resorting to coercion, stressing that constitutional standards must apply equally to all individuals implicated. He warned that the criminal justice system must not be politicized or used to circumvent fundamental rights.