A Lagos-based widow, Lovelyn Adimike, along with two of her children, has filed a lawsuit against the Inspector-General of Police, the FCT Commissioner of Police, and others, alleging rights violations including unlawful detention in connection with the death of her husband, Lucky Adimike, who is the father of two of the detainees.
Details of the Lawsuit
Through their lawyer, Chibuzor Obiajunwa, the applicants are seeking the immediate release of those held in police custody, as well as legal protection and guarantees for their private and family life. Mrs. Adimike, her children Stephanie and Anthony Adimike, and a family friend, Comfort Ajibade, jointly filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The defendants include the police, IGP Olatunji Disu, FCT Commissioner of Police Ahmed Sanusi, and Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
Affidavit Claims
In an affidavit, Mrs. Adimike stated that she was not detained, but her two children and their friend have remained in custody since the discovery of her husband's body on May 15, 2026, at their Abuja residence. The detainees are being held at the FCT Intelligence Response Team detention facility, formerly the Special Anti-Robbery Squad headquarters, behind Area 3 Police Station, Gudu District, Abuja.
The suit seeks an order directing police authorities to cease all acts violating the applicants' rights to life, dignity, personal liberty, private and family life, freedom of movement, peaceful assembly, equal protection before the law, ownership of property, and the right to work.
Court Demands
In the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed on June 3, the applicants urged the court to direct the police to charge them before a competent court if an investigation establishes a prima facie case. They also requested that the police transmit the investigation file to the Attorney-General of the Federation for legal opinion and administrative action. As of the time of this report, the case has not been assigned to any judge.
Conflicting Accounts of Death
Initial reports linked the death of Mr. Adimike to a violent incident involving his son in Abuja. The reports claimed that the son, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, stabbed his father at their residence in the Guzape area of the Federal Capital Territory, following a domestic disagreement and a night outing. Police arrested the son and others as investigations began.
However, Mrs. Adimike provided her own account, stating that her husband was shot dead, not stabbed. She believes the gunshots were fired from a weapon fitted with a silencer to avoid detection. She noted that she had been married to the late Mr. Adimike for nearly 25 years, and the marriage produced four children.
Sequence of Events
According to the affidavit, Mr. Adimike, a businessman, developed an interest in property in Abuja in 2016, leading to frequent travel between Lagos and Abuja. Their son, Anthony, was posted to Abuja for national youth service, while Stephanie, 20, came for industrial training. Mr. Adimike rented a house in Guzape for the children and stayed there during visits.
On May 11, 2026, Mr. Adimike traveled to Abuja while Mrs. Adimike remained in Lagos. On May 13, he asked Stephanie and Anthony to prepare stew and soup. Stephanie bought ingredients on May 14 and cooked with Anthony that evening; Mr. Adimike recorded the cooking and shared it on the family platform, “Lucky Adimike Family.” Later that night, Comfort Ajibade visited, and the children and Comfort went out for a night outing, returning the next day.
On the morning of May 15, Mrs. Adimike called her husband repeatedly but got no response. By 11 a.m., she instructed Anthony to return home and open his father's bedroom door. Anthony found his father lifeless inside. Mrs. Adimike told him to report to Guzape Village Police Station. Police officers arrived, took custody of the body, and arrested Anthony. Stephanie and Comfort were also arrested later as the investigation widened.
Autopsy and Allegations
Mrs. Adimike said her husband's brother arrived in Abuja on May 16, shortly before her arrival. They viewed the body at Karu General Hospital, where it was displayed naked on a pallet. The image later circulated online, leading to accusations that Anthony stabbed his father. Mrs. Adimike rejected this claim, insisting her husband was shot. She cited four gunshot wounds on the lower left chest as the likely cause of death.
The body was moved to National Hospital, Abuja on May 21 for further procedures. Mrs. Adimike could not witness the autopsy due to distress and appointed a representative. Police allegedly ordered her representative out of the room before the procedure continued. She filed the suit to challenge what she described as violations of their fundamental rights.
Mrs. Adimike added that the Attorney-General would not act unless compelled by the court. She also reported that unknown persons attempted to enter their Lagos home, claiming to be sent by her late husband's brothers, and that a caveat was circulated online over his properties and debts.
