Our Reporter, Abuja
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, over the alleged unlawful detention of a woman acting as a surety, the criminalisation of a civil investment dispute, and abuse of police authority by officers attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti.
In a petition dated January 16, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC raised serious concerns over what it described as extra-judicial actions by police officers in a dispute arising from an investment agreement between Homes 4U Ltd and a private investor.
According to the petition, the investment agreement was entered into in January 2025 and involved ₦20 million for a 24-month term and ₦12 million for a three-month term. RULAAC stated that the company reportedly paid a cumulative return on investment of ₦9 million over nine months before defaulting due to business challenges.
RULAAC noted that the dispute is purely civil and contractual, with no allegations of fraud, stealing, or other criminal offences, but alleged that the complainant resorted to using the police to enforce the agreement.
The organisation alleged that Mr. William Eze, a director of Homes 4U Ltd, was arrested and detained for over four days without bail, charge, or remand order, and was allegedly compelled to sign an undertaking forfeiting the company’s business premises as a condition for his release.
The petition further claimed that, acting on the said undertaking and without any court order, the complainant, allegedly with the support of a mobile police officer on illegal duty, forcibly invaded the company’s salon, assaulted staff, confiscated properties, and took over the premises, with threats to dispose of the company’s equipment and furniture.
RULAAC also expressed grave concern over 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. According to the petition, she was arrested solely because she stood as a surety and was allegedly detained to compel her husband to report to SCID Panti.
The rights group further alleged that police officers contacted Mr. Eze to inform him that his wife would be detained indefinitely until he presented himself, a practice RULAAC described as coercion and hostage-taking, which it said has no basis in Nigerian law.
In addition, RULAAC accused officers handling the matter, identified as Supol Edobor and SP Owolabi, of intimidation and unprofessional conduct toward Mr. Eze’s legal counsel. It alleged that the Investigating Police Officer verbally abused and threatened the lawyer, creating an atmosphere of fear that hindered access to legal representation.
RULAAC noted that a Fundamental Rights Enforcement Suit, marked FHC/L/CS/51/26, has been filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos, challenging the actions of the police and the complainant. The organisation said it was advised that despite the pending suit, the alleged raid on the business premises and the arrest of the woman still took place.
The advocacy group cited violations of Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), the Police Act, 2020, and established judicial authorities prohibiting the use of the police for debt recovery or enforcement of private contracts.
RULAAC has therefore demanded clarification from the Lagos State Police Command on the legal basis for the woman’s detention, whether she has been charged with any recognised criminal offence, the authority under which officers enforced an undertaking and took over private property without a court order, and the Command’s response to allegations of threats and misconduct by its officers.
Pending clarification, the organisation urged an immediate review of the case and the release of the detained woman if there are no lawful grounds for her continued custody.
RULAAC reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with the Nigeria Police Force in promoting professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights and the rule of law, while urging the Lagos State Command to treat the petition with urgency.
