The founder of Esther Child Rights Foundation, a nongovernmental organisation, Ms. Esther Ekwem, has written a petition to His Royal Highness, Igwe Okechukwu Atoleobi, of Umuawuru Isi-Ala Ngwa North, Abia State, imploring him and his cabinet to look for a way to ensure two of his subjects, Mr. Ebere Nwanosike and Chinaecherem Ebere, who are both father and son respectively, are compensated for illegal arrest and a wrongful six-month imprisonment.
Ekwem, in her letter to the monarch, said: “We are writing to call your attention to a disturbing situation reportedly unfolding in your community, Umuawuru Isi-Ala Ngwa North, Abia State.
“It has come to our attention that 17-year-old Mr. Chinaecherem Ebere, who is a minor, and his father, Mr. Ebere Nwanosike, have been subjected to prolonged and questionable incarceration under circumstances that raise serious human rights concerns.
“According to reports gathered, sometime in early 2024, Chinaecherem visited his uncle, Mr. Achienwe, to charge his phone. Unfortunately, the phone went missing while at the uncle’s house.
“A verbal exchange reportedly occurred between Chinaecherem and Mr. Achienwe, but the situation did not escalate into violence. Chinaecherem informed his father, Mr. Ebere, who later approached his brother, Mr. Achienwe, to discuss the matter.
“Mr. Achienwe dismissed the issue, stating he was not to be questioned about the missing phone. The parties parted ways peacefully. Unexpectedly, Mr. Achienwe reported the matter to the Okpu-Ala Ngwa Police Division, who arrested both Mr. Ebere and Chinaecherem.
“Shockingly, both father and son were detained, charged, and remanded in prison for over five to six months, even though it was Chinaecherem’s phone that went missing, not Mr. Achienwe’s.
Around September 2024, they were granted bail upon the payment of ₦250,000, which the family struggled to raise. It has since been reported that Mr. Achienwe is now deceased. Following a court invitation for a peace settlement in February 2025, both individuals were re-arrested.
We have learned that the justification provided was their failure to attend court hearings on two occasions. Mr Ebere and his wife were chased by the youths, even when Mr Ebere ran into the bush, they caught up with him and flogged him and his wife.
“Their legal representative has reportedly failed to make meaningful progress in court, despite receiving ongoing payments from the family for appearances and representation.”
According to Ekwem, given the grave injustice and prolonged detention of a young man and his father over a non-criminal matter, “we respectfully call on your leadership and conscience to intervene swiftly and justly.”
Esther Child Rights Foundation appealed for: “Immediate legal review and humanitarian consideration for the release of Mr. Chinaecherem Ebere and Mr. Ebere Nwanosike. An investigation into the handling of this case by the Okpu-Ala Ngwa Police Division, and the role of the legal counsel involved and A peaceful and community-driven resolution, in line with restorative justice principles and the rights guaranteed to every Nigerian citizen.”
Ekwem further said: “This situation, if left unchecked, could represent a gross miscarriage of justice and a violation of the rights of a young person and his father, one that could have lasting mental, emotional, and social consequences. We kindly request feedback on the steps being taken by community leadership no later than 14 days from the receipt of this letter.”
