…Petitions Command Over Alleged Torture, Extortion, Secret Arraignment of Suspect
Juliana Francis
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has filed an urgent petition with the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), alleging a harrowing campaign of abuse, torture, and “weaponised” law enforcement against a mother of two by officers of the Garki Police Division.
The petition, signed by RULAAC Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma, details the ordeal of Hajiya Mrs Ngozi Umunna Ishola, who was reportedly detained for over a month, denied access to her special-needs children, and subjected to “degrading treatment” after allegedly refusing the sexual advances of a businessman.
According to the petition, Mrs Ishola was arrested at midnight on December 10, 2025, before any formal complaint was even lodged.
RULAAC alleges that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Garki Station, Mr Ahmodu Mohammed, and his subordinates acted as “agents” for a complainant identified as Mr James.
“The victim was accused of blackmail after she allegedly refused sexual advances, including pressure to engage in a threesome,” Nwanguma stated in the petition. “Rather than investigate these grave allegations of sexual harassment, officers immediately aligned themselves with the complainant, treating the victim as guilty.”
The rights group claims that while in custody, Mrs Ishola, who was on her menstrual cycle and unwell at the time, was denied food, water, and medication.
The petition further alleges a brazen attempt at extortion: “She was forcefully taken to a bank and pressured to withdraw money from her account. When she resisted… she was returned to the cell as punishment. The DPO threatened that she must ‘produce the money or go to prison’, a threat that was subsequently carried out.”
RULAAC also documented “inhuman treatment” during her transfer to Suleja Correctional Centre, alleging that an officer denied her use of a toilet during an unauthorised two-hour stop, resulting in the victim urinating on herself while under armed guard.
The petition highlights a “secret” legal manoeuvre where Mrs Ishola was allegedly moved to a distant court in Dutse Alhaji to avoid her legal counsel.
“She was secretly arraigned… a court geographically removed from the police station where she was detained,” the petition reads.
The resulting month-long remand left her two children, aged two and four, both described as having special needs, vulnerable and unattended for over five weeks.
RULAAC is calling for an immediate investigation into DPO Ahmodu Mohammed, Officer Francis Gukas, and SP Aminat.
The group is also demanding the return of the victim’s mobile phones, noting that Google security alerts suggest the police have been attempting to tamper with her private data.
“This case represents a grave abuse of police powers, custodial torture, and the weaponisation of law enforcement for private interests,” Nwanguma concluded. “Failure to act will further erode public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.”
The petition has been copied to the Police Service Commission (PSC) for disciplinary oversight. As of press time, the FCT Command has not issued an official statement regarding the allegations.
