By Pascal Ibe
Jude Jamike has lamented over the arrest of his younger brother, Chinweikpe Ugwu by operatives of Anti-Vice Unit, Imo State Police Command, Owerri on Tuesday.
The incident happened in n Umuhu Okwuato, Aboh Mbaise, Imo Stateon Tuesday.
This incident adds to the list of police brutality and harassment of Nigerians currently.
In a voice note, the brother to the victim, lamented the officers from Imo Police command headquarters Owerri, came to arrest an alleged suspect named Ifeanyi Ugwu. But on finding out that the suspect was absent, the policemen tortured and whisked his younger brother, Chnweikpe away.
In the voice note, Jude stated that the operatives are currently demanding N300,000 to free his brother Chinweikpe.
Violation Of Police Act
With the story account of Mr Jude, according to Section 36 of the Police Act 2020, “A person shall not be arrested in place of a suspect.”
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is a national police establishment whose existence is affirmed by section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. The legal framework of the NPF is further elaborated by Nigeria Police Act, 2020. The previous statutory framework was the Police Act first made in 1943 (with subsequent amendments), until its repeal and replacement with the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.
In a letter by Rule of Law Accountability and Advocacy Center (RULAAC) sent to the Commander, QIT/ Anti-Vice Unit, Imo State Police Command, Owerri on Tuesday, the group revealed that the operatives arrived searching for one Ifeanyi Ugwu but did not disclose their purpose.
In the letter obtained by this reporter, RULAAC’s executive director, Okey Nwangunma stated that with Ifeanyi absent, they identified Chinweikpe as his junior brother.
Without any warrant or explanation, the operatives assaulted Chinweikpe with a machete before taking him away.
The letter reads in parts, “RULAAC has received an alarming report from Jude Jamike regarding the unlawful arrest of his younger brother, Chinweikpe Ugwu, by operatives from the Anti Vice, Imo State Command, Owerri. He is detained at QIT cell. The incident occurred on December 10, 2024, at approximately 2 PM in their family compound in Umuhu Okwuato, Aboh Mbaise, Imo State.
“This act raises grave concerns regarding the violation of rights and due process. We urgently call for an investigation into the actions of the operatives and immediate clarification of Chinweikpe Ugwu’s situation.
“We urge appropriate authorities to ensure his safety and uphold the law.
When this reporter contacted the police spokesperson in the State, ASP Henry Okoye promised to get back to him soon.
When this reporter called the Imo PPRO again, Mr Okoye didn’t take nor return the calls.
CrimeFacts news has obtained a petition by RULAAC
Read bellow 👇
December 11, 2024
The Commissioner of Police
Imo State Police Command
Owerri
Dear Sir,
A COMPLAINT OF FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF THE POLICE ACT 2020 BY OPERATIVES OF THE ANTI VICE UNIT AND QIT OF THE IMO STATE POLICE COMMAND
Section 36 of the Nigeria Police Act prohibits the arrest of a person in place of a suspect (arrest by proxy or in lieu).
Despite this clear prohibition, some police personnel still continue to indulge in this unlawful practice in violation of the Police Act.
RULAAC received an alarming report regarding the unlawful arrest of one Chinweikpe Ugwu, by operatives from the Anti Vice Unit, Imo State Headquarters, Owerri.
The incident occurred on December 10, 2024, at approximately 2 PM in their family compound in Umuhu Okwuato, Aboh Mbaise, Imo State.
RULAAC was informed that the operatives arrived searching for Ifeanyi Ugwu (Chinweikpe Ugwu’s older brother) but did not disclose their purpose.
With Ifeanyi absent, they identified Chinweikpe as his ‘junior brother’.
Without any warrant or explanation, the operatives assaulted Chinweikpe with a machete before taking him away.
He has been detained at QIT cell.
RULAAC has further received credible information that the IPO is asking him for a bribe of 300 thousand Naira ‘for bail’ even when they arrested him illegally against the provisions of the Police Act, which prohibits arrest in lieu.
This act raises grave concerns regarding the violation of rights and due process. We urgently call for an investigation into the actions of the operatives and immediate clarification of Chinweikpe Ugwu’s situation.
We urge appropriate authorities to ensure his safety and uphold the law.
Sincerely,
Okechukwu Nwanguma
Executive Director,
Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC)
