...As the defendant exited the courtroom After The Case Was Dismissed, he was immediately apprehended by three officers from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in full view of his legal counsel. 

In a startling turn of events, a prominent advocate for ex-agitators in Nigeria's Niger Delta region Owus Owupele found himself at the center of a legal maelstrom today, August 19, 2025. The case, which has captured national attention, took an unexpected twist in the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The morning began with what seemed to be a victory for the defendant when the prosecutor announced the discontinuation of the case under Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). The presiding judge, acknowledging the prosecutor's right, subsequently discharged and dismissed the case.

However, the relief was short-lived. As the defendant exited the courtroom, he was immediately apprehended by three officers from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in full view of his legal counsel. The arrest, allegedly on charges of cyberstalking, has raised serious questions about the potential abuse of power and violation of fundamental human rights.

The defendant, speaking exclusively to our reporter, vehemently denies any wrongdoing and claims this is a clear case of persecution. "This is pure abuse of my fundamental human rights and abuse of process," he stated, visibly distressed. He alleges that the arrest is retaliation for his outspoken advocacy on behalf of ex-agitators in the Niger Delta region.

The case has shed light on broader issues within the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) for ex-agitators. The defendant has been a vocal critic of the current administration of the programme, particularly targeting its coordinator, Dennis Otuaro. He argues that despite increased budget allocations, there has been a failure to improve the welfare of ex-agitators, including calls to raise their stipends from ₦65,000 to ₦150,000 upward in light of the country's economic challenges.

Furthermore, the defendant recounted a harrowing experience of being chained by hands and legs for four days in Puff Adder, Bayelsa State, a location he claims is connected to the controversial Oporoza prison cell. This allegation, if proven true, could have serious implications for law enforcement practices in the region.

As this story continues to unfold, it raises critical questions about the balance between law enforcement, human rights, and the welfare of ex-agitators in Nigeria's volatile Niger Delta region. The case has caught the attention of human rights organizations and is likely to spark a broader debate on the treatment of activists and the management of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.