The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, over the death of Mr Nnamdi Chibueze, blaming it on constant harassment by personnel of the Nigeria Police Force in Anambra State.
RULAAC also slammed the Police for targeting and arresting Chibueze’s 70-year-old grieving mother.
In a petition dated January 19, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC said it was acting on behalf of Mr Chibueze’s widow, Mrs Ebere Chibueze, alleging a “sustained pattern of intimidation, false criminal accusations, misuse of police powers and posthumous persecution” against the family.
“This petition raises grave concerns regarding a sustained pattern of intimidation, abuse of police authority, false criminal allegations, threats to life, obstruction of justice, and posthumous persecution,” Nwanguma stated, adding that the actions allegedly contributed to the deterioration of Mr Chibueze’s health and his death on October 5, 2025.
RULAAC acknowledged that the late Chibueze suffered from chronic diabetes and hypertension, which led to kidney failure, but maintained that “prolonged harassment, repeated police actions instigated by private individuals, arbitrary arrests, and deliberate obstruction of his access to urgent medical care significantly aggravated his condition and prevented him from securing life-saving treatment.”
The petition named four individuals as principal actors allegedly involved in instigating and sustaining the actions.
Detailing the alleged pattern of abuse, RULAAC claimed that as far back as 2010, Mrs Chibueze was assaulted while pregnant during a forceful invasion of her home by relatives.
The organisation alleged that when Mr Chibueze resisted and refused to abandon his wife and children, he was “threatened, excommunicated from family affairs, and subjected to prolonged hostility and intimidation.”
The petition further alleged that Mr Chibueze was falsely accused through petitions to the police of kidnapping, armed robbery and illegal possession of arms, leading to his arrest and transportation to Abuja.
“He was reportedly detained without credible evidence or due process,” RULAAC said, noting that shortly after his release, he suffered a partial stroke, which marked a sharp decline in his health.
RULAAC also accused police officers of facilitating economic sabotage against the deceased by interfering with his business interests, protecting individuals accused of defrauding him, and denying him access to property documents, including a shop at the ASPAMDA Trade Fair Complex.
The organisation said this allegedly prevented him from selling the property to fund urgent overseas medical treatment.
The petition further alleged post-death harassment of the family, including the arrest of Mr Chibueze’s 70-year-old mother-in-law, Mrs Benedict Ngadi, during burial preparations in November 2025.
RULAAC described the arrest as “public humiliation and false accusation of murder, timed to intimidate the family and disrupt burial arrangements.”
RULAAC also accused the Divisional Police Officer of Isingwu Police Station, Supol Ifeanyi Umeh, of refusing to transfer the case to the Homicide Section of the Anambra State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Awka.
According to the petition, the refusal allegedly persisted until December 5, 2025, “raising serious concerns about external interference and obstruction of justice.”
The organisation further warned of continuing threats to the family. “There are continuing reports of open threats, including statements that Mrs Ngadi would be rearrested and allowed to ‘die in custody,’ as well as threats against Mrs Chibueze, her children and kinsmen,” the petition alleged.
RULAAC said the alleged actions, if established, would amount to violations of Sections 34 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Police Act 2020, and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
It added that settled judicial authorities prohibit the use of police powers for personal vendettas, civil disputes or family conflicts.
Among its prayers, RULAAC urged the IGP to order an “immediate, independent and impartial investigation” into the allegations; review all police actions against the late Chibueze and his family; investigate the arrest and treatment of Mrs Ngadi; and sanction any officers found culpable.
The group also requested the immediate release of the body of the late Chibueze to his wife and children for burial, investigation of the alleged refusal to transfer the case to the CID, and protection for the family against further intimidation.
“RULAAC submits this petition in the interest of justice, accountability and the protection of citizens from the misuse of state power, and trusts that the Nigeria Police Force will accord this matter the urgency and seriousness it deserves,” Nwanguma said.
