Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called for transparent, impartial, exhaustive and effective investigation of alleged criminal cartel of police officers in Zone 13 Ukpo and Anambra State CID Annex (former Awkuzu SARS) involved in unlawful detention, torture, extrajudicial killing, stealing and conversion of property of executed detainees in their custody.
The group also cautioned the police against subjecting the detained whistle blower, 26-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Emeh Nnamdi to any form of torture or Ill treatment.
In a statement by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, the group insisted the whistle blower must be accorded all due process guarantees and safeguards against abuse of his fundamental human rights.
It also urged the IGP to facilitate for him access to legal support as mandated by the Police Act.
The statement reads, “RULAAC has taken note of the report of the arrest of the 26-year-old National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Emeh Nnamdi who was declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force on February 20, 2023 for ‘impersonation of an Assistant Superintendent of Police and defamation of character.’
“This is the same fellow who made revelations about the existence of an alleged criminal cartel of police officers in Zone 13 Ukpo and Anambra State CID Annex (former Awkuzu SARS) , involved in unlawful detention, torture and extrajudicial killing , stealing and conversion of property of executed detainees in their custody.
“The Nigeria Police Force had invited to the Force Headquarters the accused police officers including Chief Superintendent of Police Patrick Chukwuemeka Agbazue, who is a former O/C SARS, Awkuzu and currently the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu; a Superintendent of Police, Princess Nwode Nkeiruka, who is a former Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Anambra State Police Command and currently the PPRO for Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo; and Inspector Harrison Akama, also attached to the RRS, Awkuzu, Anambra State, among others. They were allowed to go home the same day.
“Their accuser and whistle blower has been arrested and detained at the Force Headquarters.
“The Force PRO announced that an investigation team set up by the IGP to investigate the allegations by the whistle blower is currently investigating the allegations.
“Civil society is closely monitoring the investigation of both the allegations against the police officers and the whistle blower who has been arrested and currently in custody.
“The investigation of both sides must be transparent, impartial, exhaustive and effective. The detained whistle blower must not be subjected to any form of torture or Ill treatment. He must be accorded all the due process guarantees and safeguards against abuse of his fundamental human rights. The IGP should facilitate for him access to legal support as mandated by the Police Act.
“We want to see the truth unravelled and justice done. There should be no cover up or shielding of any person found to be involved in any crime.”
