Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre has petitioned the Anambra State Commissioner of Police over the alleged unlawful arrest and detention of a woman by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, formerly known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, accusing the police of detaining her in place of her wanted brother and demanding ₦600,000 for her release.
RULAAC, in a letter signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, dated September 5, 2026, alleged that Ms Nwosu Chikamso Jennifer was arrested on August 31, 2026, not over an offence linked to her but in connection with the police search for her brother, who is reportedly wanted over an alleged murder case. According to the organisation, Nwosu alleged that she was detained for four days and was expected to produce her brother despite not being accused of complicity in the alleged offence.
The organisation said Nwosu further alleged that she was released on September 3 after ₦600,000 was paid, with the payment allegedly described as being for "administrative bail." RULAAC said no receipt or acknowledgement was reportedly issued for the payment. The complainant also alleged that her mobile phone was seized by the police and retained without a seizure form or property receipt. The organisation identified the investigating officer in the matter as Mr Odoh Kingsley of RRS Awkuzu.
RULAAC said Nwosu had been directed to report again on Monday, September 7, 2026, but was apprehensive that she could face renewed detention or further demands for money. The rights group therefore called on the Commissioner of Police to urgently intervene and verify the allegations before Nwosu's scheduled appearance at the police facility.
RULAAC described the alleged arrest and detention of Nwosu over her brother's alleged offence as a possible case of "arrest by proxy" or "arrest in lieu." The organisation argued that arresting a person merely to compel the surrender of a relative raises serious constitutional and human-rights concerns. "If the claims are substantially correct, the actions complained of would raise grave legal and human-rights concerns," the organisation said. "Arresting and detaining a person merely to compel the surrender of a relative amounts to arrest by proxy or arrest in lieu, a practice expressly prohibited by Nigerian law".
RULAAC also raised concerns about the alleged four-day detention, saying that holding a person beyond the constitutionally permissible period without taking the individual before a court could violate legal safeguards on arrest and detention. It further described the alleged ₦600,000 payment as "particularly disturbing," stressing that police bail is free.
The organisation said the allegations were particularly concerning because they involved the Awkuzu facility, which became notorious for alleged human rights abuses during the era of SARS. RULAAC said the transition from SARS to RRS should have represented more than a change of name. "These allegations, if established, inevitably evoke the ugly memories of the abuses historically associated with the former SARS facility at Awkuzu. The transition from SARS to RRS ought to signify more than a change of name; it should represent a decisive institutional break from arbitrary detention, arrest by proxy, extortion and other practices that brought the former unit into disrepute".
RULAAC said the alleged conduct, if established, would be inconsistent with safeguards contained in the Nigerian Constitution, the Police Act 2020 and other applicable laws.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments