CDHR Delta Disowns Alleged Leadership Election, Urges Security Agencies To Ignore Agberen’s Group.

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Delta State Branch, has distanced itself from a purported leadership election allegedly conducted by Mr. Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, describing the exercise as illegal, unconstitutional and a clear case of impersonation.

In an open letter addressed to security agencies across Nigeria and signed by the State Chairman, Comrade Samuel Edoso, and the State Secretary, Comrade Evans Orusi, the organisation said Mr. Agberen has no authority to act or speak on behalf of the Delta State Branch of the CDHR.

The branch explained that the clarification became necessary following a publication by FPR News titled, “CDHR Elects New Delta Leadership, Declares Rule of Law, Good Governance Key to Sustainable Development,” which it described as false, misleading and a gross misrepresentation of the true position of the organisation.

According to the statement, Mr. Agberen is a former member of the CDHR Delta State Branch who previously served as Udu Unit Coordinator and State Vice Chairman. It alleged that his anti-organisational activities began in 2021 after he unsuccessfully contested the position of State Chairman against Comrade Jonathan Giama.

The organisation further claimed that after the election, Mr. Agberen aligned himself with an unrecognised faction led by Comrade Edariese Peter, whose leadership, it said, is currently the subject of pending litigation.

The statement added that following another unsuccessful bid to become State Chairman within that faction, Mr. Agberen allegedly attempted to establish a separate human rights organisation and later created what it described as another illegal faction while appropriating the name of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Delta State Branch.

The CDHR maintained that Mr. Agberen has long been suspended from the organisation and remains under suspension, stressing that he is not the Chairman of the Delta State Branch and has no legal authority to represent the organisation in any capacity.

It alleged that his continued use of the CDHR name amounts to impersonation and could mislead unsuspecting members of the public.

The organisation therefore called on all security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other law enforcement agencies, to disregard any petition, complaint, correspondence or representation submitted under the name of the CDHR by Mr. Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen and the individuals named in the statement, insisting that they are not authorised representatives of the organisation.

The branch also urged the general public to exercise caution and avoid dealing with the group under the guise of representing the CDHR, warning that anyone who does so does so at his or her own risk.

It further advised media organisations to verify the identities and legitimacy of individuals claiming to speak on behalf of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights before publishing their statements and to correct or retract any reports that inadvertently confer legitimacy on unauthorised persons.

Reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law, constitutional democracy, good governance and the protection of fundamental human rights, the Delta State Branch of the CDHR vowed to pursue all lawful means against anyone found impersonating the organisation or bringing its name into disrepute.

The statement concluded by appreciating security agencies for their continued commitment to justice, the rule of law and the protection of legitimate civil society organisations

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