The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over what it described as an “attempted subversion of a murder investigation, threats to life, and abuse of police process” following the killing of a 19-year-old, Nnamdi, in Awgu, Enugu State.
In a petition signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, and addressed to the IGP with attention to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), RULAAC said it was compelled to act “over a grave case of murder and an alarming attempt to subvert justice through abuse of police processes.”
According to RULAAC, the incident stemmed from the lawful arrest of Mr Emmanuel Okeke by a team led by MMrJonathan Onuoha, an officer attached to the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja. The organisation alleged that on May 6, 2025, at about 1:42 a.m., MrMrfeanyi Okeke, the younger brother of the arrested suspect, telephoned Mr Mruoha and issued a threat, warning that unless Emmanuel Okeke was released within 48 hours, “blood would flow.”
RULAAC stated that the threat was allegedly carried out within minutes. “Within minutes of this call, Mr Mranyi Okeke allegedly led a group of armed youths to attack the family residence of Mr Jonathan Onuoha,” the petition said, adding that the assailants, armed with axes and other weapons, damaged the gate and attempted forcible entry.
Although MMrOnuoha was not at home, RULAAC alleged that his elder sister and her children, who were visiting, were forcibly brought out and “brutally assaulted,” sustaining serious injuries. The group said that as a result of the attack, the woman’s 19-year-old son, Nnamdi, died on May 8, 2025, while receiving treatment at Beacon Hospital, Awgu.
RULAAC said the incident was reported at the Awgu Police Division and later transferred to the Homicide Department of the Enugu State Police Command. An autopsy was conducted, and “a prima facie case of murder was established,” after which the Homicide Unit at Force Headquarters took over the case.
“The prime suspect, Mr Ifeanyi Okeke, was arrested and, in his confessional statement, implicated Mr Emmanuel Okeke, among others,” RULAAC said, noting that homicide detectives recommended prosecution for murder.
However, the organisation expressed “grave concern” over what it described as an active attempt to derail the case despite the conclusion of investigations. RULAAC alleged that officers attached to the IGP Monitoring Unit were “induced with money to interfere with the investigation,” and that a fresh petition alleging cyberbullying and character assassination was raised against Mr Onuoha.
The petition further alleged that the new petition was sponsored by Mr Emmanuel Okeke and that the Commissioner of Police in charge of the IGP Monitoring Unit, alongside CSP Christopher Offor and Inspector Vivian Edeh, were “taking active steps to subvert this gruesome murder investigation.”
RULAAC claimed that, based on the collateral petition, the IGP Monitoring Unit secured a signal to retrieve the murder case file from the Homicide Department at Force Headquarters “with the apparent intention of truncating prosecution and facilitating the release of the prime suspect.”
“This development is a direct assault on due process, professional policing standards, and the integrity of homicide investigations within the Nigeria Police Force,” the organisation said.
RULAAC warned that allowing an administrative or monitoring unit to override a concluded homicide investigation “sets a dangerous precedent and gravely undermines criminal justice administration,” adding that it sends “the dangerous signal that wealth and influence can defeat accountability for murder.”
The group called on the police authorities to immediately halt any interference with the case file, ensure prompt prosecution of all implicated suspects, order an internal investigation into the alleged conduct of officers of the IGP Monitoring Unit, and provide protection for Mr Onuoha and affected family members.
“Justice delayed or derailed in a murder case is justice denied, not only to the victim’s family but to society at large,” RULAAC said, urging the IGP to intervene “to uphold professionalism, accountability, and the rule of law.”
