Above the Law: Imo Police Operatives Dismiss Court Orders with Impunity After Alleged Murder of Detainee

 …Receives No Retribution

Police officers attached to the Imo State Police Command have been accused of repeatedly defying court orders, displaying a disposition that suggests they consider themselves to be above the law.

Currently, two non-profit organisations, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) and the People’s Rights Organisation (PRO), are pointing fingers at specific units within the command. They accuse officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (Tiger Base), the Homicide Section, and the D3 Anti-Fraud Unit of deliberately obstructing justice in the case of Mr Japheth Njoku.

Ignoring a valid court order in Nigerian law is a very serious offence known as Contempt of Court.

A court order must be obeyed until it is set aside, varied, or stayed by another competent court. The only legitimate challenge to a court order is through a judicial process, such as an appeal.

According to Section 287 (1) of the 1999 Constitution,  “Decisions of the Supreme Court can be enforced in any part of Nigeria by all authorities and persons and by Courts with jurisdiction lower than that of the Supreme Court.”

Mr Njoku, a 32-year-old man, reportedly died from torture while in police custody, and the civil society groups claim the accused officers are actively impeding the legal process surrounding his death.

In a joint petition addressed to the Police Service Commission (PSC), the two organisations allege that the implicated officers have defied multiple court orders, frustrated a Coroner-ordered autopsy, and are now harassing and charging witnesses in a desperate attempt to cover up a custodial killing.

“Instead of complying with lawful court orders for an autopsy, the officers have resorted to diversionary tactics, filing false charges against the deceased’s co-inmates and intimidating witnesses,” said Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of RULAAC. “This is a brazen act of insubordination, obstruction of justice, and contempt for the rule of law.”

According to the petition, Mr Njoku died on May 5, 2025, after five weeks of unlawful detention, torture, and extortion by operatives of Tiger Base, led by Inspector Barnabas, following a baseless petition by one Mrs Oluchi Obiagwu, a trader allegedly aided by her sister, a serving policewoman.

Despite orders from the Coroner’s Court, Owerri, and directives by the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, to conduct an autopsy and halt all parallel investigations, the implicated officers, fabricated new charges of “receiving stolen goods” against the deceased’s co-detainees and witnesses, failed to present the body for autopsy on October 28 and 30, 2025, even after five court extensions; and continued to intimidate witnesses and extort money under police cover.

RULAAC and PRO allege that the officers are working in collusion with Mrs Obiagwu, a major suspect in the murder, who has been funding police operatives to obstruct justice and manipulate the investigation.

“This is not just an abuse of power; it is a calculated cover-up of murder under police custody,” stated Dr C. C. Nwadigo, Executive Director of PRO. “By defying court orders and intimidating witnesses, these officers are undermining the integrity of the entire police institution.”

The petitioners urge the Police Service Commission (PSC) to; Direct an independent investigation into the torture, death, and cover-up, Suspend and discipline all implicated officers, including Insp. Barnabas and CSP Oladimeji (O/C Tiger Base) and halt the unlawful arraignment of the deceased’s co-inmates.

They also called for the enforcement of immediate compliance with the Coroner’s Court order for an autopsy and guaranteed protection for witnesses and the deceased’s family members who are being harassed.

They further call for the immediate removal of the case from the compromised Homicide Section, SCID Owerri, and the D3 Anti-Fraud Unit.

RULAAC and PRO emphasised that the continued defiance of lawful court orders by serving police officers is a grave affront to the rule of law, and urged the PSC to act swiftly to restore public confidence in police oversight and discipline.

“For nearly six months, the family of Japheth Njoku has sought justice through lawful channels,” Nwanguma added. “The PSC must now demonstrate that rogue officers cannot hide behind the uniform to escape accountability.”

JOINT PETITION BY PEOPLE’S RIGHTS ORGANIZATION (PRO) AND RULE OF LAW AND ACCOUNTABILITY ADVOCACY CENTRE (RULAAC): OFFICIALS OF TIGER BASE, OWERRI, RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TORTURE AND EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLING OF MR. JAPHETH NJOKU, FRUSTRATING COURT ORDERED AUTOPSY AND DEFYING DIRECTIVES OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, IMO STATE COMMAND AND CONSPIRING WITH OTHER MURDER SUSPECTS TO CHARGE MR. JAPHETH NJOKU’S CASEMATES TO COURT CONTRARY TO ORDER OF COURT.

The People’s Rights Organization (PRO) and the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) jointly write to bring to the urgent attention of the Police Service Commission (PSC) the continued acts of gross misconduct, insubordination, and obstruction of justice by certain officers of the Imo State Police Command, notably operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (Tiger Base), some officers of the Homicide Section, SCID Owerri and D3, Antifraud Unit SCID, Owerri, in connection with the torture and extrajudicial killing of Mr. Japheth Njoku (aged 32) while in their custody.

Despite explicit orders of the Coroner’s Court and lawful directives by the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, these officers have persistently obstructed the judicial process, frustrated the conduct of the court-ordered autopsy, and harassed complainant witnesses to the extent of carrying on investigation and serving them arraignment notice contrary to the order of Coroner Court in a desperate bid calculated to cover-up a custodial murder.

Background of the Case

1. On or about 5th May 2025, Mr. Japheth Njoku died in the custody of Tiger Base operatives, led by Insp. Barnabas, following five (5) weeks of unlawful detention, torture, and extortion arising from a baseless petition orchestrated by Mrs. Oluchi Obiagwu, a trader at Alaba Market, Owerri, in collusion with her sister (a serving policewoman).
2. The deceased and four others including Basil Ekenyere were detained for over five weeks and tortured under the supervision of Tiger Base officers, who demanded ₦300,000 from each detainee in a purported “part-payment settlement” of the alleged complaint and N500,000 “bail money”.
3. Following petitions by the deceased’s family and intervention by civil society, the matter was assigned to the Homicide Section, SCID Owerri, and the Coroner’s Court, Owerri, ordered an inquest on 5th June 2025, directing:

– That Insp. Barnabas, CSP Oladimeji (O/C Anti-Kidnapping Unit), and others appear before the Coroner to give evidence;

– That the Commissioner of Police ensures full compliance; and

– That no parallel investigation or autopsy be undertaken pending the conclusion of the inquest.

4. The implicated officers have refused to appear before the Coroner and have, instead, fabricated false charges of “receiving stolen goods” against the deceased’s case-mates and witnesses – Monday Ekwueme, Basil Ekenyere, Miss Nkechi, and Mrs. Caro Okeke – clearly aimed at intimidating and silencing them. As a result thereof, the Deputy Commissioner, SCID, Owerri separated the false charge of receiving stolen goods which was handed over to D3, Antifraud, SCID, Owerri who are aware of no investigation order by the Coroner Court until the autopsy is conducted.
5. That in the last three (3) months, the said deceased casemates – Basil Ekenyere, Miss Nkechi, and Mrs. Caro Okeke have been unduly harassed, intimidated, detained and money extorted from them by the OC and officers of D3 Department who are funded by Mrs. Oluchi Obiagwu (Major suspect in the murder charge) in a desperate bid to undermine the murder of Japheth Njoku.

Obstruction of Court-Ordered Autopsy

After several months of delay, the Coroner’s Court fixed the autopsy for Tuesday, 28th October 2025, at Imo Specialist Hospital, Umuguma Road, with participation by:

• The Government Chief Pathologist,
• The Tiger Base – appointed Pathologist, and
• The Complainant’s Pathologist

under the supervision of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Imo State, who was duly appointed by the court.

However, on the eve of the autopsy, the O/C Homicide and Tiger Base operatives raised frivolous technical objections, questioning the Chief Pathologist’s appointment and disputing the electronic service of the court’s extension order. The DPP, however, confirmed that the process was proper and that all conditions had been met.

In response, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (SCID), acting under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, rescheduled the autopsy for Thursday, 30th October 2025, mandating the O/C Homicide to ensure compliance.

Nevertheless, at the last minute, the same officers wilfully failed and refused to attend, thereby frustrating the autopsy once again.

Those in attendance included:

• The Deceased’s Elder brother,
• Two representatives from the DPP’s office,
• The Chief Pathologist and his team,
• The Family’s counsel, and
• Supervisors appointed by the Coroner.

It was only after over an hour of waiting that Supol Mark of the Homicide Section, who is holding the Tally, informed attendees via phone that Tiger Base officers “would not be attending.”

This amounts to blatant defiance of both the Commissioner’s directive and valid court orders, and constitutes a serious breach of discipline and dereliction of duty.

That the Tiger base officers working in conjunction with the Homicide officers who have already compromised, having frustrated the conduct of the autopsy on 28^th October, 2025 and 30^th October, 2025 which was the last day extended by the court (after about five extension of the conduct of the autopsy), suddenly, reached out to D3 officers who now issued Arraignment Notice dated 4^th November, 2025 to the deceased casemates. The said arraignment notice is herewith attached.

A Pattern of Impunity and Cover-Up

Since the custodial death of Mr. Japheth Njoku in May 2025:

• The deceased family were not notified of the custodial death until after five (5) days even when the elder brother of the deceased was coming on daily basis.
• No wireless message was issued by Tiger base in respect of the custodial death of Mr. Japheth Njoku.
• The Commissioner of Police was not notified of the custodial death of Mr. Japheth Njoku nine (9) days after the death of the deceased.
• No Tiger Base officer has been arrested, suspended or interrogated
• The implicated officers and their sponsors (Mrs. Oluchi Obiagwu) continue to manipulate the Homicide Department to obstruct justice
• Witnesses have been repeatedly harassed and intimidated and are now served with arraignment notice to appear in court on 13^th November, 2025 and family members have been repeatedly harassed and intimidated, and
• Lawful judicial orders have been consistently ignored.

These actions demonstrate a coordinated attempt to cover up a crime and to subvert the course of justice, in flagrant violation of police discipline and constitutional oversight mechanisms.

 Our Joint Prayers

We, therefore, respectfully call on the Police Service Commission (PSC) to:

1. Direct an immediate, independent investigation into the conduct of all officers involved in the torture, death, and obstruction of justice in the case of Mr. Japheth Njoku.
2. Suspend Insp. Barnabas, CSP Oladimeji (O/C Tiger Base), second in command, Tiger Base and other implicated officers pending the outcome of investigation.
3. Remove the matter from Homicide department, SCID, who have largely compromised and bring the O/C, D3 and other officers who are spear heading the plot to desperately charge the deceased casemates to court. And stop the impeding arraignment of the deceased’s casemates.
4. Enforce full compliance with the orders of the Coroner’s Court, and ensure that the autopsy is conducted without further delay or interference.
5. Order the arrest and internal disciplinary proceedings against all Tiger Base, Homicide and D3 officers found culpable of insubordination, contempt of court, and obstruction of justice.
6. Ensure the protection of witnesses and the deceased’s family members, who have been subjected to threats and harassment by the same officers.
7. Direct the Imo State Police Command to submit a comprehensive report to the PSC and the Inspector-General of Police detailing steps taken to enforce compliance and uphold accountability.

Conclusion

Sir, the continued defiance of lawful court orders and directives by serving police officers constitutes a grave affront to the rule of law and to the authority of the Nigeria Police Force itself.

 

For nearly six months, the family of Mr. Japheth Njoku has sought justice through legitimate channels, only to be met with manipulation, intimidation, and contempt for due process. The PSC’s prompt and decisive intervention is therefore essential to restore public confidence in police oversight and accountability.

We trust in your leadership and commitment to justice.

Respectfully submitted.

 

 

 

 

 

For: People’s Rights Organization (PRO)

Dr. C. C. Nwadigo (Ph.D., Laws)

Executive Director.

For: Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Cntre (RULAAC)

Okechukeu Nwanguma

Executive Director.

 

CC:

1. The Inspector-General of Police, Force Headquarters, Abuja
2. The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Police Command, Owerri
3. The Director of Police Public Prosecutions (DPP), Imo State Ministry of Justice
4. The Chief Judge of Imo State
5. The Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Imo State
6. The Coroner, Owerri Magistrate District
7. The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
8. The Honourable Minister of Police Affairs
9. The Director, Legal and Prosecution, Force Headquarters, Abuja.