Our Reporter, Abuja
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, over alleged abuse of office and multiple human rights violations by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Garki Police Station, Abuja, and officers under his command.
In the petition dated 20 January 2026 and signed by its Executive Director, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC accused the DPO, Mr. Ahmodu Mohammed, alongside officers identified as Francis Gukas, SP Aminat and others, of unlawful arrest and detention, denial of access to legal counsel, torture, extortion, sexual and gender-based abuse, and collusion with a complainant against a woman identified as Hajiya Mrs. Ngozi Umunna Ishola.
The petition, which was also copied to the Police Service Commission (PSC), said the alleged acts violated provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), police regulations, and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
According to RULAAC, the victim was arrested on 10 December 2025 at about 11:50 p.m. at her residence in Garki, Abuja, before any formal complaint was lodged against her. She was allegedly detained at Garki Police Station for two nights and three days without access to her family, a lawyer, food, water, or prescribed medication.
The group stated that at the time of her arrest, the woman was unwell, on her menstrual cycle, and left behind two young children aged four and two, both said to have special needs, without any care arrangements.
RULAAC further alleged that the arrest followed accusations by one Mr. James Asika Onwordi, who reportedly claimed that the woman was blackmailing him with a purported sex video after she rejected his sexual advances. The organisation said the police failed to investigate the allegations of sexual harassment against the complainant and instead aligned with him, subjecting the woman to intimidation and coercion.
The petition also accused the police of denying the victim access to her mobile phones and legal counsel and of secretly arraigning her before Dutse Alhaji Magistrate Court 2, rather than the Wuse Zone 2 Magistrate Court earlier indicated to her lawyer. She was charged with extortion, harassment and intimidation.
Despite an oral bail application by her counsel, RULAAC said the magistrate insisted on a written application, leading to her remand at the Suleja Correctional Centre from 12 December 2025 until she was granted bail on 19 January 2026.
During her detention and transfer, RULAAC alleged that the victim was subjected to degrading and inhuman treatment, including being detained with male suspects, verbal abuse, intimidation, and pressure to withdraw money from her bank account. The petition also detailed alleged unauthorised stopovers during her transfer to the correctional centre, during which she was denied access to a toilet, resulting in severe humiliation.
The organisation further claimed that the police illegally seized and retained the woman’s mobile phones and power bank, and that attempts had allegedly been made to access her digital accounts while the devices remained in police custody.
RULAAC called on the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, to order an immediate investigation into the conduct of the officers involved, ensure the release of the victim’s seized property, discipline culpable officers, and investigate the complainant for alleged sexual harassment and abuse of influence.
“This case represents a grave abuse of police powers, custodial torture, and gender-based oppression,” the organisation said, warning that failure to act would further erode public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
As of the time of filing this report, the FCT Police Command had yet to respond to the allegations.
