The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over the disciplinary action taken against W/Sgt. Agwu Charity, alleging abuse of process, possible retaliation, and unresolved child trafficking concerns linked to a rescued child in Ebonyi State.
In a petition dated May 7, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, the advocacy group called for an immediate review of the disciplinary proceedings that reportedly led to the officer’s demotion from Inspector to Sergeant.
RULAAC said the officer, attached to the 32 Police Mobile Force Squadron in Abakaliki, was punished after allegedly refusing to release a rescued child to private individuals outside a lawful adoption process.
According to the petition, the incident began on December 2, 2022, when Agwu Charity reportedly encountered a mentally unstable woman carrying a baby under suspicious circumstances while on official assignment in Abakaliki.
“Acting in what appeared to be a genuine effort to protect the child and in discharge of her constitutional and professional responsibilities, she rescued the baby and attempted to hand the child over through official police channels,” the petition stated.
The group alleged that rather than receiving support, the officer faced resistance from personnel attached to the Juvenile Welfare Centre (JWC).
RULAAC specifically named SP Ngozi Ugbala, then Officer-in-Charge of the JWC at the Central Police Station, Abakaliki, as allegedly refusing to accept custody of the child and directing the officer to return the baby to the mentally unstable woman.
The petition further alleged that senior officers, including SP Loveth Ogbuinya, ASP Grace Ogbuswe, and W/Inspector Maureen Otum, pressured the officer to hand the child over to a couple “outside any known lawful or transparent adoption process.”
According to the group, Agwu Charity refused because she feared the child could become a victim of trafficking or illegal adoption.
“The officer maintains that the final orderly room proceedings were concluded by CSP Daniel Nwonu without due process and without affording her adequate opportunity to defend herself,” the petition added.
RULAAC also alleged that the officer was not properly informed about the conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings until after the punishment had been imposed.
The advocacy organisation raised further concerns over the welfare of the rescued child, alleging that investigations by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps later uncovered possible trafficking involving the same child.
“The officer alleged that investigations by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps led to the arrest of individuals connected with the unlawful transfer of the child and that the child was eventually recovered in Abakaliki,” the petition stated.
RULAAC said that although it could not independently verify the allegations at this stage, the claims were serious enough to warrant an impartial investigation.
The group also referenced another allegation involving a separate child reportedly linked to the officer’s sister-in-law, claiming the child was allegedly transferred or sold through persons connected to the Juvenile Welfare Centre before being recovered through police intervention.
RULAAC said the case raises broader concerns about child protection procedures, fairness in police disciplinary processes, abuse of authority, and the treatment of officers acting in good faith.
“Disciplinary mechanisms must not become instruments for victimisation, suppression, or punishment of officers acting in the public interest,” Nwanguma said.
The organisation urged the Inspector-General of Police to review the disciplinary action against the officer, restore her rank pending the outcome of investigations, and launch an independent probe into the alleged trafficking and conduct of officials named in the petition.
RULAAC also called for clarification on the current status and welfare of the child involved and demanded assurances that officers protecting vulnerable persons would not face retaliation. #Securitynewsalert.com
