Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Rights group RULAAC has petitioned the Inspector‑General of Police, alleging that a female police officer was unlawfully demoted after she resisted pressure to hand over a rescued baby to individuals outside any lawful adoption process, a move her supporters say was intended to prevent child trafficking.
In a petition dated May 7, 2026, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) detailed how W/Sgt. Agwu Charity (formerly an Inspector), attached to the 32 Police Mobile Force Squadron in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, was stripped of her rank after she questioned the fate of a baby she had rescued from a mentally unstable woman in December 2022. According to the petition, Charity secured the infant and attempted to transfer custody through official police channels, but encountered resistance from officers attached to the Juvenile Welfare Centre. RULAAC specifically accused SP Ngozi Ugbala, then officer‑in‑charge of the centre, of refusing to accept the child and allegedly directing Charity to return the baby to the unstable woman.
The petition further alleged that another senior officer, SP Loveth Ogbuinya, along with ASP Grace Ogbuswe and W/Inspector Maureen Otum, pressured Charity to release the child to a couple outside any recognised adoption process. Charity refused, fearing the transfer could expose the infant to trafficking or illegal adoption.
The matter later escalated into disciplinary proceedings. A police wireless message dated June 2025, titled “CH:6380 EBS / DFA / SHQ/ VOL. T2/36 X DISCIPLINE,” confirmed that “Inspr. Agwu Charity . . . was defaulted and tried on one count charge of improper conduct for committing an offence against discipline.” The document recommended reduction in rank from Inspector to Sergeant, a decision upheld by the Assistant Inspector‑General of Police for Zone 9. Charity was away on special duty in Anambra State at the time of the trial and has since appealed, arguing that the proceedings were conducted without due process and were motivated by malice.
RULAAC has called on the Inspector‑General to launch an independent investigation, alleging that the child later became a victim of trafficking and was recovered only after intervention by other security authorities.
The Ebonyi State Police Command had not issued a formal response to the allegations at the time of this report.
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