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The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, seeking an independent investigation into the arrest, detention and treatment of two men reportedly held at the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja over alleged links to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a petition dated November 10, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, the organisation identified the men as Azoribe Samuel Onu and Chidiebere Christian Ugwu. It also called for a wider review of cases involving people detained or prosecuted over alleged IPOB membership or activities.
According to RULAAC, Onu said he was arrested by Nigerian Army personnel at Oduma, Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, on August 31, 2023, following an accusation that he was an IPOB commander. He reportedly spent about 18 months in Army custody before being transferred to the Department of State Services (DSS) in Enugu on February 28, 2025.
The organisation said Onu claimed he was discharged by an Enugu Magistrates’ Court on April 29, 2025, but was allegedly arrested again by DSS operatives immediately after leaving the court. He was later transferred to DSS headquarters in Abuja and reportedly appeared before the Federal High Court in Asokoro on June 16, 2026, where he said he was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
RULAAC said certified court records were needed to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the Magistrates’ Court decision, the alleged re-arrest and the subsequent conviction and sentence.
The second case concerns Ugwu, who reportedly said DSS operatives arrested him on December 5, 2024, along Obollo Road in Obukpa, Nsukka, Enugu State. He alleged that he was beaten at a DSS post in Oba and later at the agency’s Enugu command, where he lost consciousness. He also claimed he suffered further beatings at DSS headquarters in Abuja, affecting his eyesight and causing bleeding from his ear.
Ugwu reportedly told the organisation that he was denied access to his family and a lawyer for about 18 months and forced to write statements without legal representation. RULAAC said he appeared before the Federal High Court in Asokoro on June 17, 2026, pleaded not guilty and remained in custody. The organisation called for his charge sheet and remand records to be examined.
The petition raised concerns about possible violations of constitutional protections relating to human dignity, personal liberty and fair hearing. It also cited provisions of the Anti-Torture Act 2017 and the Evidence Act 2011 concerning statements allegedly obtained through torture or oppression.
RULAAC urged the Attorney-General to order independent investigations, preserve relevant Army and DSS custody records, obtain certified court documents and ensure both men have access to legal representation. It also requested an independent medical examination and appropriate treatment for Ugwu over his reported eye and ear injuries.
Beyond the two cases, the organisation called for a time-bound review of other detentions linked to alleged IPOB affiliation. It asked authorities to establish the legal basis for each detention, assess the evidence against individuals and pursue release or other remedies where continued custody cannot be justified. It also called for accountability where evidence establishes wrongdoing.
The petition referenced a November 3, 2026, Vanguard report that the DSS had released four men arrested in May 2022 over alleged IPOB involvement and approved compensation totalling N20 million. RULAAC said the reported developments reinforced the need to examine other cases in which people might still be detained without sufficient evidence.
The organisation also called on the DSS Director-General and the Chief of Army Staff to preserve records held by their agencies and make relevant personnel available to independent investigators. RULAAC said it was prepared to provide the accounts of the two men through a secure channel.
