THE NATIONAL Coordinator, Federal Workers Forum (FWF), Comrade Andrew Emelieze, on Thursday, collapsed during arraignment at the Federal High Court in Ibadan
Comrade Emelieze, who has been in the forefront of agitating for workers welfare and payment of unpaid arrears of N35,000 wage award and other demands from the Federal Government (FG), is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS).
He was arrested by the DSS on July 3, detained but later released on administrative bail on July 17.
Emelieze was brought to the court by the DSS on a four-count-charge of alleged injurious statement against the FG, threat to protest at Aso Rock and declining DSS invitation.
Emelieze, however, collapsed in the dock before the reading of the charge sheet. Justice Nkeonye Maha immediately temporarily suspended proceedings to allow the defendant to be revived.
Flashback
National Record had reported how human rights lawyer and activist, Comrade Femi Aborisade, had been in the forefront f the call for the release of Emelieze from unlawful detention.
Comrade Aborisade had a fortnight ago also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the DSS to release Emelieze, noting that as a former pro-democracy campaigner “who also contributed to resisting military dictatorship,” President Tinubu “should intervene to secure Emelieze’s release.”
He also demanded expedited arraignment to allow for a bail application, noting that the DSS has already filed an “Affidavit of Completion of Investigation.”
The demand followed the service of a four-count charge against Emelieze, which Aborisade described as an attempt to criminalise democratic rights, including peaceful protest and freedom of expression.
In a press statement dated Tuesday, July 8, but made available to National Record on Wednesday, July 9, 2025; Aborisade, who is the Managing Partner of ABOPE Chambers, revealed that the charges against Emelieze include allegations of issuing statements “injurious to the President of Nigeria” (Count One), threatening to protest at Aso Rock (Count Two), assembling people to “cause fear and disrupt peace” (Count Three), and resisting DSS invitation (Count Four).
The human rights lawyer argued that these charges violate constitutional rights, citing the Court of Appeal’s ruling in Arthur Nwankwo v. The State (1985), which upheld freedom of speech as sacrosanct.
Aborisade also highlighted illegality in Emelieze’s detention. He stated that despite a court order on July 4 directing the activist to be remanded at Agodi Correctional Centre for 14 days, the DSS has continued to hold him in their custody, denying him access to lawyers until July 8.
The lawyer urged the DSS to comply with the court order and transfer Emelieze to the correctional facility, where he can receive visits from family and supporters.
Emelieze, a prominent advocate for workers’ welfare, and National Coordinator of the Federal Workers Forum (FWF), is known for organising peaceful protests and social media campaigns.
Aborisade emphasised that his client’s activism poses no threat to national security. “He is a man driven by transformative ideas, not weapons.”
