Nearly two decades after the controversial 2007 Edo State governorship election, one man identified as Deric Johns has remained on the wanted list of Nigerian security agencies despite indications in an official police report that he may have been wrongly implicated in the violence that accompanied the poll.

A police document sighted by our correspondent recently revealed that Johns’ name continues to be associated with electoral disturbances that erupted during the April 14, 2007 governorship election in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

According to the report, Deric Johns served as a polling agent for the defunct Action Congress (AC) at Ward 5, Uromi Girls Primary School, where violence broke out during voting.

The election, regarded as one of the most contentious in Edo State’s history, was characterized by allegations of ballot-box snatching, electoral malpractice and politically motivated violence.

Police records indicate that unrest escalated after attempts were allegedly made to prevent suspected political thugs from interfering with ballot materials. The situation reportedly degenerated into violence when gunshots were allegedly fired, resulting in the deaths of two persons and forcing voters to flee the polling area.

Several youths were arrested in connection with the incident, while Johns was said to have escaped.

The report stated that Johns and nine others were later charged before a court over alleged electoral offences linked to the disturbances.

However, the same report contains details that have continued to fuel questions about his culpability.

According to the document, during investigations, an Action Congress governorship aspirant who was interrogated over the incident reportedly told investigators that he had “nothing to do with the boys arrested” and described them as political thugs.

More significantly, the report acknowledged claims that Johns “did not commit” the offence for which he was declared wanted and was “wrongly mentioned.”

Despite that observation, Johns remains on the wanted list of security agencies in Nigeria.

The apparent contradiction has raised questions about why the matter remains unresolved 19 years after the incident and whether Johns’ status should be reviewed in light of the circumstances outlined in the report.

For family members, the case represents a prolonged ordeal stretching across nearly two decades, while for observers it underscores the enduring consequences of election-related crises and the challenges of achieving closure in politically sensitive cases.

The report concluded by formally notifying relevant authorities and interested parties that Johns remains listed as wanted in connection with the 2007 election disturbances.