The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has urgently called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to intervene in what it describes as “troubling matters” that raise serious concerns about the integrity of police investigations, prosecutorial accountability, and the misuse of criminal justice processes in Enugu State.
Petitions Submitted to IGP
In separate petitions submitted to the Inspector-General of Police, RULAAC highlighted an alleged disturbing pattern of actions and omissions by police authorities that threaten the administration of justice and undermine public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force. The petitions, signed by Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma and made available to The Guardian in Enugu, express concern over the continued failure of the Police to produce defendants for arraignment in two criminal cases pending before the Federal High Court, Enugu.
Cases in Question
The group identified the cases as FHC/EN/CR/84/2025: IGP v. Kingsley Eze & 2 Others and FHC/EN/CR/222/2024: IGP v. Alex Ifeadi & 2 Others. According to RULAAC, these charges were filed following investigations by the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja, and the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Enugu. Despite the filing of charges, the defendants have repeatedly not been produced before the court for arraignment, resulting in prolonged delays and risking possible striking out of the cases for lack of diligent prosecution.
When the matters came before the Federal High Court, Enugu, on 20 May 2026, the court expressed concern over the repeated inability of the prosecution to produce the defendants. The cases were adjourned to 18 June 2026. RULAAC warned that such delays deny victims access to justice, frustrate the judicial process, and create perceptions of interference with the course of justice.
Allegations Against CSP Justice Attah
RULAAC also requested an independent investigation into allegations against CSP Justice Attah, Officer-in-Charge of the Directorate of Legal Services, Enugu State Police Command, over his alleged role in matters arising from a longstanding land dispute between members of Okpogho Community in Ezeagu Local Government Area and Ostara Farms Limited. The group expressed concern that despite multiple pending civil suits concerning ownership and control of the disputed land, the matter has increasingly become the subject of criminal investigations and prosecutions under circumstances that raise questions about police neutrality and professionalism.
Similarities to Previous Controversy
RULAAC further noted troubling similarities between the Okpogho dispute and the earlier controversy involving Amechi and Obeagu Awkunanaw communities in Enugu South Local Government Area and Private Estates International West Africa Limited (PEIWA), both reportedly linked to the same promoter, Mr. Kingsley Tobechukwu Eze. The organisation stated that reports suggesting selective criminalization of community members opposed to the disputed land transaction, if established, would constitute a grave abuse of police powers and an improper use of criminal proceedings to intimidate citizens and influence outcomes in ongoing civil disputes.
Call for Impartiality
RULAAC stressed that the police must remain impartial and must not allow criminal justice processes to be deployed in aid of private interests or as instruments of harassment. The organisation has called on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure the immediate production of defendants in the pending Federal High Court cases to prevent a miscarriage of justice. It also asked the Police boss to direct the Monitoring Unit to review investigations and prosecutions arising from the Okpogho Community dispute.
RULAAC emphasised that public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force depends on its commitment to professionalism, impartiality, accountability, and respect for the rule of law. “The police have a constitutional duty to protect all citizens without fear or favour. Criminal justice processes must never be manipulated to serve private interests, frustrate legitimate civil claims, or deny victims and communities access to justice,” Nwanguma said.
