The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has raised serious concerns over the alleged unlawful detention of a woman and what it described as the criminalisation of a purely civil investment dispute by officers of the Lagos State Police Command.
In a petition addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, the Executive Director of RULAAC, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, said the organisation was disturbed by reports of misconduct by officers attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, in connection with an investment transaction involving Homes 4U Ltd.
According to Nwanguma, the dispute arose from an investment agreement entered into in January 2025 between Homes 4U Ltd, in which Mr. William Eze is a director, and a private investor. He explained that the investment consisted of ₦20 million for a 24-month term and ₦12 million for a three-month term, adding that the company paid a cumulative return on investment of ₦9 million over nine months before defaulting due to unforeseen business challenges.
“From the facts presented, the dispute appears to be purely civil and contractual in nature, relating to the performance of an investment agreement, and not involving allegations of fraud, stealing, or any other criminal offence,” Nwanguma said.
RULAAC alleged that instead of pursuing civil remedies through the courts, the complainant allegedly used the police to arrest and detain Mr. Eze. The organisation claimed that Mr. Eze was detained for more than four days without bail, charge, or remand order, and was allegedly forced, while in custody, to sign an undertaking forfeiting his company’s business premises as a condition for his release.
The rights group further alleged that, acting on the said undertaking and without any court order, the complainant later engaged a mobile police officer on what it described as illegal duty to invade the company’s salon, assault staff, confiscate property and take over the premises, with threats to dispose of the company’s equipment and furniture.
“If correct, these actions amount to extra-judicial enforcement and self-help, facilitated by police officers acting outside the bounds of lawful authority,” Nwanguma stated.
Of particular concern to RULAAC is the reported arrest and continued detention of Mr Eze’s wife, who was not a party to the investment transaction and against whom no criminal allegation has been made.
The organisation alleged that she was compelled to co-sign a bail bond and is being detained solely because she stood as a surety to force her husband to present himself at SCID Panti.
“We are further informed that officers involved contacted Mr Eze to inform him that his wife would be detained indefinitely until he presented himself. If established, this amounts to coercion and hostage-taking, practices unknown to Nigerian law,” Nwanguma said.
RULAAC also accused officers of handling the matter of intimidating legal counsel representing Mr. Eze. According to the petition, the Investigating Police Officer, identified as Supol Edobor, allegedly verbally abused counsel, calling him “mumu,” and threatened to “deal with” him, creating what the organisation described as a climate of fear that discouraged counsel from visiting the station. The group said another officer involved is SP Owolabi.
Nwanguma stressed that under Nigerian law, a surety’s obligation is civil and does not attract criminal liability, adding that “a surety cannot be lawfully arrested or detained in place of a suspect.” He further noted that the detention of third parties as leverage amounts to collective punishment or hostage-taking, which has no legal basis.
The organisation disclosed that a Fundamental Rights Enforcement Suit, marked FHC/L/CS/51/26, has been filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos, challenging the alleged actions. It added that despite advice to all parties to maintain the status quo pending the court’s determination, the reported raid on the business premises and the arrest of Mr. Eze’s wife allegedly took place.
According to RULAAC, the allegations, if proven, raise serious constitutional and legal concerns, including violations of Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the Police Act 2020, and established judicial authorities prohibiting the use of police for debt recovery or enforcement of private contracts.
RULAAC has called on the Lagos State Police Command to clarify the legal basis for the arrest and continued detention of the woman, whether she has been charged with any recognised criminal offence, and the authority under which police officers allegedly enforced an undertaking and took over private business premises without a court order. The group also demanded a response to allegations of threats, intimidation and unprofessional conduct by the officers involved.
“Pending such clarification, we urge an immediate review of the case and the release of the detained individual, should there be no lawful grounds for her continued custody,” Nwanguma said, adding that RULAAC remains committed to constructive engagement with the Nigeria Police Force in promoting professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights and the rule of law.
The organisation urged the Lagos State Command to treat the complaint with urgency and seriousness.
