According to the source, Aghogho also expressed frustration that a Form 48 — an official legal notice of contempt — was ignored by the court, despite being properly filed and served.

A child rights activist, Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, has alleged a plot to assassinate him while in custody at the Okere Custodial Centre in Warri, Delta State.

Speaking to SaharaReporters on Monday, a family member raised the alarm that plans were underway to eliminate Aghogho while in detention, following what the family described as the questionable revocation of his bail.

“It was the registrar of the court who directed the judge to revoke Aghogho bail —not the prosecution,” the family source alleged, claiming that due process was undermined.

The source further stated that the presiding judge insisted on revoking Aghogho’s bail based on a report personally delivered by the Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR), not at the request of the prosecution or based on any legal merit.

According to the source, Aghogho also expressed frustration that a Form 48 — an official legal notice of contempt — was ignored by the court, despite being properly filed and served.

"The Form 48 was disregarded by the court despite being validly filed and served," the family source said. 

"The judge insisted that the DCR reported the case to him personally. There are plans to kill Aghogho in prison."

The source accused the court of deliberately stalling Aghogho’s case to facilitate the alleged plot against his life, noting that the matter has been adjourned until October 2025.

“They just want to give themselves enough time to execute hum in prison,” the source added.

When SaharaReporters reached out to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Mr. Pius Iorzua, for a response, he briefly stated, “I’m not authorised to speak on the matter.”

Repeated efforts to contact the Superintendent of Corrections in Warri and the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Abubakar Umar, were unsuccessful.

Calls and messages to Umar were not returned.

Aghogho, known for his outspoken advocacy for child rights in Delta State, has faced multiple legal battles in recent years.
His latest claims have heightened concerns among human rights defenders, with many calling for an urgent independent investigation into the allegations.

Earlier,  SaharaReporters had reported that a Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has revoked the bail of child rights activist Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho over allegations that he violated the conditions by publishing false information.

The revocation followed a Daily Post article reporting the issuance of Form 48 — a legal warning for contempt of court — against the Delta State Attorney-General.

The article was based on a notice issued by the same Federal High Court on June 13, 2025, stemming from Aghogho’s petition.
The notice accused the Delta State Ministry of Justice of procedural misconduct in his ongoing criminal trial (FHC/WR/92C/2022), including the submission of an unfiled and unauthorised letter — a move the court viewed as interference with judicial proceedings.

However, despite the court’s decision, Aghogho insists he was not the source of the publication and maintains that Daily Post, not he, is responsible for its content.
He also argues that the information reported was accurate and not in violation of his bail terms.

Meanwhile, in a separate but related legal battle, Aghogho on June 11 filed a case before the ECOWAS Court of Justice (ECW/CCJ/APP/28/25), accusing Nigerian authorities of persecution tied to his whistleblowing on alleged child trafficking and irregular adoptions in Delta State.
He alleges arbitrary arrest, prolonged detention, and prosecution under a repealed cybercrime law — all in retaliation for exposing systemic abuse.

The activist is also challenging the Delta State Child Rights (Amendment) Law 2024, calling it unconstitutional and regressive. He is demanding $100 million in damages and other legal remedies.

The ECOWAS Court has formally notified the Nigerian government, which now has 30 days to respond or risk a default judgment.
Meanwhile, a case filed at the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Warri Judicial Division, with suit number FHC/WR/92C/2022, involves the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the complainant and Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho as the Defendant/Applicant.

In a document titled "Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order", addressed to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State Ministry of Justice, the court accused Aghogho of willfully submitting an unfiled and unauthorised letter.

The court ordered him to desist from further acts of contempt and to take immediate steps to purge himself of the disobedience. Failure to comply, the court warned, would result in an application for a committal order against him.

The notice read, "TAKE NOTICE that unless you obey the direction contained in the order of this Honourable Court, or refrain from any act that interferes with the due administration of justice in Charge No: FHC/WR/92C/2022 Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison for such contempt.

"This Notice is issued upon the complaint of the Defendant/Applicant, Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, that you willfully submitted an unfiled and unauthorised letter titled ‘Further Update on Verification Report in FHC/WR/92C/2022 FRN vs. Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho’, dated the 8th day of April 2024, addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Warri Judicial Division, and signed by the prosecuting counsel, J.A. Amahi Esq., which was read aloud in open court on the 18th day of April 2024, despite lacking proper filing and legal standing.

"Recall that on 21st March 2024 this honourable court received a verification report to verify the Defendant's surety Phillip Biakpara's residence from the prosecutor counsel, J.A. Amahi Esq based on an order of this honourable court. In disobedience of the order of this honourable court, on 21st March 2024, this honourable court received an unfiled verification titled 'further update on verification report in FHC/WR/92C/2022 dated 8th April 2024 through the Deputy Chief Registrar of this Court."

It said, "Such conduct, in its nature and implication, constitutes an unlawful attempt to interfere with ongoing judicial proceedings, mislead the court, and usurp the functions of the registry of this Honourable Court, in flagrant disrespect to judicial process.

"You are hereby warned to desist from further acts of contempt and to take immediate steps to purge yourself of this disobedience, failing which this Honourable Court will be moved to issue a committal order against you."

Charges of cyberstalking had been levelled against Aghogho by one P.N. Etumudon Esq from the Delta State Ministry of Justice.