The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called for an impartial and transparent investigation into the reported re-arrest of the impeached former Vice Chairman of Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Igbokwe Prince Matthew Onyekaozuru, over alleged vehicle theft and vandalism in Lagos.
The Executive Director of RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, following reports that Onyekaozuru was arrested on Monday, August 31, after an alleged incident at a residence in Oke-Afa, Isolo, Lagos.
According to Nwanguma, the incident reportedly involved the vandalisation of vehicles and theft within the premises and was said to have been captured by security cameras.
Nwanguma said Onyekaozuru was subsequently taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, where he was reportedly being detained and investigated.
He said the latest development was particularly troubling because Onyekaozuru had reportedly been arrested between April and May 2026 by the Lagos State Police Command over similar allegations involving vehicle theft and vandalisation.
“Mr. Onyekaozuru was also reportedly arrested by the Lagos State Police Command over similar allegations involving vehicle theft and vandalisation,” Nwanguma said.
He added that videos subsequently emerged showing the former council vice chairman being interrogated following his detention at the Imo State Police Command in connection with allegations of previous criminal conduct.
Nwanguma said that following the controversy generated by the earlier allegations, Onyekaozuru was initially suspended from office by the legislative chamber of Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area and was subsequently impeached.
According to him, the impeachment was reportedly based on allegations that included the former vice chairman’s “serial involvement in criminal activities” and persistent absenteeism from official duties.
However, Nwanguma stressed that the allegations against Onyekaozuru remained unproven and should be subjected to due process.
“We therefore emphasise that the allegations against Mr. Onyekaozuru remain allegations which must be established through lawful investigation and, where sufficient evidence exists, prosecution before a competent court,” he said.
Nwanguma disclosed that RULAAC had contacted relevant Lagos State Police authorities seeking official confirmation of the latest reported arrest, Onyekaozuru’s current custodial status, the precise allegations under investigation and the status of the case.
“As of the time of issuing this statement, we have yet to receive official confirmation,” he said.
The RULAAC executive director also questioned how an individual who had reportedly been implicated in previous criminal allegations emerged as an elected vice chairman of a local government area.
“How did an individual repeatedly implicated in serious criminal allegations emerge as the elected Vice Chairman of a Local Government Area? What kind of political and leadership recruitment process allowed this?” Nwanguma asked.
He also questioned the outcome of previous police investigations, asking, “What became of the previous police investigations? Why did those investigations apparently not result in prosecution where sufficient evidence existed? And did political influence or other improper intervention play any role in the handling of the previous cases?”
Nwanguma said the reported impeachment further raised questions about what the relevant political and governmental authorities knew about the allegations, when they became aware of them and what action was taken.
He maintained that public office must not be used as a shield against criminal accountability, while warning that allegations of criminal conduct should not be determined through media trials.
“Public office must never become a shield against criminal accountability. At the same time, allegations of criminal conduct must not be determined through media trial,” Nwanguma said.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police to direct a comprehensive and impartial investigation into the latest allegations and establish the status and outcome of all previous police investigations reportedly involving Onyekaozuru.
Nwanguma further urged the police to prosecute the matter if credible evidence exists, without political interference or preferential treatment.
“Where credible evidence capable of sustaining criminal charges exists, the matter should be placed before the courts without interference, political pressure or preferential treatment,” he said.
He added that if previous investigations found insufficient evidence for prosecution, the police should clarify the outcome.
“Conversely, if previous investigations found insufficient evidence for prosecution, the police should clarify this,” Nwanguma said.
He said the public deserved to know what became of the previous cases and whether any improper intervention had obstructed the course of justice.
“The public deserves to know what became of the previous cases and whether any improper intervention obstructed the normal course of justice,” he said.
Nwanguma warned that repeated arrests without a clear prosecutorial outcome could undermine public confidence in law enforcement.
“Repeated arrest without a clear prosecutorial outcome neither serves justice nor inspires public confidence in law enforcement,” he said.
