A prominent human rights organisation, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), has raised alarm over what it describes as the unlawful arrest, detention, and intimidation of a widow and mother of four, Mrs. Chioma Ashimedua, by officers of the Rivers State Police Command.
According to RULAAC, Mrs. Ashimedua was forcibly taken from her home in Obinze, Imo State, on July 24, without a warrant, due process, or notification, and transported to Port Harcourt. She remains in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), reportedly incommunicado and denied bail, while her four minor sons—aged 14, 12, 10, and 8—were left unattended in Owerri.
RULAAC alleges that the arrest stems from a family dispute involving property owned by her late husband, Mr. Hypolite Bright Ojeashi, who passed away in May and whose burial is scheduled for August 2 in Delta State.
The group claims that Mrs. Ashimedua had resisted pressure from relatives, particularly her stepson, to hand over property documents before burial—an act she considered culturally inappropriate.
In a petition sent to the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and other key authorities, RULAAC cited multiple constitutional violations, including infringement of her rights to liberty, dignity, fair hearing, and protection from discrimination.
The organisation also condemned reported demands by police officials for the property documents and hinted at plans to detain her further through a remand order, despite an ongoing court recess.
“This incident represents a disturbing abuse of police authority to settle civil disputes and exert cultural pressure on a vulnerable widow,” said Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC’s Executive Director.
The group has demanded her immediate release, an investigation into police conduct, and disciplinary action against officers found complicit.
RULAAC says it will escalate the case to the National Human Rights Commission, Police Service Commission, and international partners if necessary.
Officials from the Nigeria Police Force have yet to issue a public statement regarding the allegations.
