Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu has broken his silence following his release from police custody, two weeks after he was detained over allegations connected to the ransom raised for a kidnapped couple in Edo State.
Gwamnishu was taken into custody after claims surfaced that part of the ransom funds had been diverted. Social media activist VeryDarkMan had earlier stated that he played a role in drawing attention to alleged irregularities surrounding the case, which he said led to Gwamnishu’s arrest.
In his first public reaction since regaining his freedom, Gwamnishu expressed gratitude to supporters who stood by him throughout the ordeal, even before hearing his side of the story.
“For the sake of clarity, I was neither invited nor arrested by the police,” he stated. “As a law-abiding citizen, I voluntarily presented myself for investigation regarding the incident.”
He further revealed that no formal charges have been filed against him, noting that the case file is still under review by the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).
The activist also appreciated his legal team for their swift intervention, specifically naming Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olayiwola Afolabi, alongside Dele Igbinedion and Favour Ajuebor, for securing his release.
Despite his history of outspoken criticism against police misconduct, Gwamnishu commended the Edo State Commissioner of Police for what he described as a professional handling of the matter. He also praised the investigation team led by CSP Osagie for their conduct during his detention.
“I sincerely appreciate every one of you,” Gwamnishu said, adding that he looks forward to personally thanking those who supported him during the period.
