The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Anambra State Commissioner of Police over the continued detention of Mr Jude Nwoye Anokwu and others, and the unknown whereabouts of his gatekeeper, who was reportedly shot during their arrest.
In a letter dated 20 October 2026 and addressed to the Commissioner at the Anambra State Police Command in Amawbia, the group said Mr Anokwu and several other persons were arrested at his residence in Udezu Village, Achalla, on Saturday, 17 October 2026. They are currently held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Awka.
RULAAC argued that more than 48 hours had passed since the arrests, in violation of the Constitution. Section 35(4)–(5) requires that an arrested person be brought before a court within a reasonable time, generally 24 hours where a competent court is reasonably accessible, or 48 hours otherwise. The group said that continued detention without a valid court order would breach the detainees’ constitutional rights.
The organisation also drew attention to what it described as the troubling history of the matter. In July 2025, Mr Anokwu was reportedly arrested violently and assaulted in connection with the same family-land dispute. He was then allegedly transported from Anambra State to the Zone 2 Command in Lagos and confronted with serious security-related allegations. He was eventually released on the directive of the then Assistant Inspector-General of Police, following RULAAC’s intervention.
RULAAC said the similarities between that episode and the latest arrest, including reports of renewed IPOB/ESN-related allegations, raise legitimate concern that criminal and security processes may again be used to advance private interests in a civil land dispute. It called for an impartial investigation based strictly on credible evidence and free of the influence of any interested party.
The group expressed particular concern over Mr Anokwu’s gatekeeper, identified as Chibuzo, who was reportedly shot during the operation. His whereabouts and medical condition remain unknown, and he is said not to be among those detained with Mr Anokwu. RULAAC urged the Command to establish and disclose where he is, ensure he receives immediate medical treatment, and investigate the circumstances of the shooting.
In the petition, RULAAC asked the Commissioner to ensure that Mr Anokwu and the other detainees have immediate access to their lawyers, families and necessary medical care, and to disclose the specific allegations and evidence against each of them. It also asked that they be produced before a competent court without further delay if credible evidence supports an offence, or be released immediately. The group further called for an investigation into the whereabouts and condition of Chibuzo and the circumstances in which he was reportedly shot, as well as an impartial probe of the entire incident, including the alleged invasion, destruction of property, and removal of the detainees’ vehicle and personal belongings.
While acknowledging the Police’s duty to investigate credible allegations, RULAAC stressed that this must be carried out in strict compliance with due process, constitutional detention limits and fairness to all parties.
The petition was signed by RULAAC’s Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, who expressed confidence that the Commissioner would intervene urgently “to protect the integrity of the investigation and prevent further violations.”
