Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hilary Opara, has been accused of contacting prison authorities to demand that David Nwokorie, the former boyfriend of his daughter, be subjected to harsher treatment, including being chained and tortured, despite the detainee having been granted bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja. Sources at the Kuje Custodial Centre told SaharaReporters that Opara allegedly reached out to prison officials on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, urging them to inflict physical punishment on Nwokorie. The request, according to prison insiders, was met with shock and disbelief. "We were shocked by the request. We simply told him not to worry, but that does not mean anybody agreed to carry out what he allegedly wanted," a prison official said.
The latest allegation comes despite Nwokorie having been granted bail about two weeks ago by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Abuja. However, his release has been delayed by stringent bail conditions requiring him to produce a serving Colonel in the Nigerian Army as surety, a condition supporters and family members describe as practically impossible to meet. With the judge expected to proceed on the court's annual vacation through September, there are growing fears that Nwokorie could remain in custody for several more weeks despite the court's decision to grant him bail.
The case stems from the breakdown of Nwokorie's relationship with Genevieve Opara, a Deputy Manager at the National Pension Commission and daughter of the retired police chief. SaharaReporters had previously reported that Nwokorie was first arrested by operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department after Genevieve accused him of cyberstalking, blackmail and related offences. At the time, he was released on administrative bail only after the intervention of human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore. Sowore had disclosed that although the Commissioner of Police in charge of the National Cybercrime Centre agreed to allow Nwokorie's lawyer to process his bail, police officers imposed what he described as "ludicrous" administrative bail conditions. Documents seen by SaharaReporters showed that police demanded two sureties who were either Federal Government employees not below Grade Level 17 or businessmen with Abuja properties worth at least ₦500 million, among other stringent requirements.
According to Nwokorie's lawyer, Barrister Ezike Chibuzor, the dispute originated from a failed romantic relationship. Chibuzor had alleged that Nwokorie ended the relationship after discovering that Genevieve had previously been married and had two children, information he claimed she never disclosed during their relationship. The lawyer further alleged that tensions escalated after Genevieve reportedly discovered that Nwokorie had proposed to another woman. According to him, she allegedly stormed Nwokorie's residence, damaged several household items, and the relationship eventually collapsed. Nwokorie subsequently demanded ₦25 million in compensation for the alleged destruction of his property and posted a flyer online featuring Genevieve's photograph, describing her as "wanted for damages done to his property."
In an online conversation sighted by SaharaReporters, Nwokorie claimed Genevieve owes her position at the National Pension Commission to her father's influence, stating that her previous attempts to secure employment failed due to a lack of qualifications. He said that if her father had not given her a job at PENCOM, she would have been "jobless, roaming the streets of Owerri or probably managing a hotel because all your efforts at getting a job independently has failed because you are not qualified."
Nwokorie, who also convenes the African Youth Conference, has condemned his arrest and detention, describing the incident as an "illegal act" and a gross violation of his fundamental human rights. He alleged that he was arrested without a warrant, forced to make statements under duress, and denied access to medical care. He also accused Genevieve Opara's father, retired DIG Hilary Opara, of attempting to interfere in the case, alleging that the retired DIG placed a phone call to him, vowing to do "whatever it takes" to protect his daughter.
Genevieve Opara, who is married to Seal Nwaka, an officer with the Federal Road Safety Corps, has acknowledged the arrest but declined to speak in detail, stating that the matter is already in court. Her legal representative confirmed that the matter is sub judice and refrained from offering further details. As of the time of filing this report, retired DIG Hilary Opara had not publicly responded to the allegations. The case continues to draw attention to the influence of powerful individuals in Nigeria's justice system and the challenges faced by ordinary citizens seeking fair treatment under the law.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments