…Accuses magistrate of using police to settle personal scores
Our Reporter, Abuja
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over what it described as the “abuse of police procedure, victimization, and unlawful detention” of a security expert and consultant, Dr. Robert Anya Nkata, by officers of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja.
In the petition dated October 5, 2025, and signed by its Executive Director, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, the group alleged that Dr. Nkata’s arrest and continued detention were orchestrated by a Chief Magistrate in Enugu State, Mrs. Ngozi Edeani, through a petition she reportedly lodged at the IGP’s office.
RULAAC said the petition, which originated from Enugu, was linked to an alleged assassination attempt said to have occurred on May 23, 2025, during the burial of Mrs. Edeani’s elder brother, the late Chief Stephen Edeh, at Ndiagu Obuno Akpugo, Enugu State.
According to the advocacy group, it was disturbing that rather than report the alleged incident to the nearest police formation in Enugu — such as the Divisional Police Headquarters, Area Command, or the State Criminal Investigation Department — the complainant bypassed all local jurisdictions and escalated the matter directly to the IGP in Abuja.
RULAAC described the action as “a flagrant abuse of police procedure” and “a practice that undermines discipline, transparency, and due process within the Force.”
“This practice of jumping the chain of police command is an abuse of process which the IGP himself has previously cautioned against,” the petition read. “It often serves as a tool for those with influence to manipulate the police for private or vindictive ends.”
The group further questioned the five-month delay between the alleged incident in May and the filing of the petition in October, noting that there was no record of any report or investigation during that period.
“The alleged assassination attempt, said to have occurred in public and in the presence of dignitaries and security personnel, was never reported at any police station,” RULAAC stated. “This raises serious doubts about the credibility and motive behind the complaint.”
The group also alleged that the real motive for the petition might be connected to “a family dispute and a pending EFCC investigation into alleged share manipulation at Mayfresh Mortgage Bank Limited,” where Mrs. Edeani is said to have a vested interest.
RULAAC accused some officers of the FCID, led by CP Hope Okafor, of being used to “intimidate and persecute” Dr. Nkata, who was reportedly arrested at his Abuja residence on October 4, 2025, and detained at the Force CID headquarters without being granted bail.
The organisation described the detention as “arbitrary” and a violation of Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee personal liberty and the right to fair hearing.
RULAAC’s Demands
In its petition, the group made the following demands:
- Immediate release of Dr. Nkata pending a proper investigation through the appropriate local channels.
- Review of the handling of the petition to ensure adherence to established police procedures.
- Investigation of possible abuse of office by officers involved in the matter.
- Reaffirmation of the Police Force’s commitment to professionalism, impartiality, and respect for human rights.
RULAAC urged the IGP to act swiftly to “restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force” and prevent its misuse by individuals seeking to settle personal or political scores.
“The credibility of the Nigeria Police depends on its ability to act impartially and to protect the rights of citizens, irrespective of status or connection,” the group stated.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Police Force nor CP Hope Okafor had publicly responded to the allegations.
