Whistleblower: RULAAC calls for transparent investigation by police
The Rule of Law Advocacy and Accountability Centre has called on the Nigerian Police to ensure a transparent investigation of the allegations by 26-year-old National Youth Service Corps member and whistleblower, Emeh Nnamdi.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Executive Director of the group, Okechukwu Nwaguma, on Monday.
He said, “RULAAC has taken note of the report of the arrest of the 26-year-old National Youth Service Corps 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 investigation of both sides must be transparent, impartial, exhaustive and effective. The detained whistleblower 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.”
RULAAC alleged that while the young corp member had been in the custody of the police, the accused officers had been released the same day, after being invited to the Force Headquarters.
“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 whistleblower has been arrested and detained at the Force Headquarters.”
The group said civil society groups were closely monitoring both the investigation of the allegations against the officers and the whistleblower, following the announcement by the Force PRO that an investigation team had been set up.
Nwagyuma further said that RULAAC was interested in seeing the truth unravelled, and justice done while warning against the cover up or shielding of any person found to be involved in any crime.
