The Anambra State Police Command and the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) have exchanged conflicting accounts over the arrest and release of Ms. Nwosu Chikamso Jennifer, with the police denying allegations of extortion while the civil society organisation insists key accountability questions remain unanswered.
The dispute followed a report by a media outlet based on a petition by RULAAC, which alleged that Jennifer was arrested on August 31, 2026, because security operatives were searching for her brother, Nwosu Kenechukwu, a man reportedly wanted in connection with a murder investigation.
The petition also alleged that a payment of ₦600,000 was made to secure her release.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, dismissed the allegations and said Jennifer’s arrest was not based solely on her relationship with the wanted suspect.
According to the command, investigations identified Nwosu Kenechukwu as a person of interest in ongoing investigations into several cult-related killings in Awka.
The police alleged that Jennifer became aware of efforts to arrest her brother and assisted him in evading arrest, making her arrest part of a legitimate criminal investigation.
The command also categorically denied demanding ₦600,000 or any other payment as a condition for her release, stating that she was granted bail in line with established police procedures after undertaking to cooperate with investigators.
While urging media organisations and civil society groups to verify sensitive allegations and do the due diligence before publishing reports, the command maintained that it remained committed to due process, the rule of law and intelligence-driven policing.
“The Command will not be distracted by unverified narratives capable of prejudicing ongoing investigations or misleading members of the public. Its focus remains on uncovering the circumstances surrounding the cult-related killings under investigation, identifying all persons connected to them, and ensuring that anyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law,” Ikenga had said.
But, in a response on Tuesday when contacted, the RULAAC Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma accused the police of failing to address critical issues surrounding Jennifer’s arrest and detention.
Nwanguma said the organisation had contacted the Police Public Relations Officer before making the matter public but received no response for about 48 hours.
He argued that it was unfair for the police to accuse civil society groups of failing to exercise due diligence after, according to him, RULAAC had sought official clarification before publicising the complaint.
RULAAC said the police had now introduced a new allegation that Jennifer helped her brother evade arrest, but argued that such a claim should be supported with objective evidence and accompanied by an explanation of the specific offence allegedly committed.
The organisation also questioned why Jennifer was reportedly detained for four days without being charged in court, saying constitutional safeguards governing arrest and detention must apply regardless of the seriousness of the investigation.
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On the disputed allegation of a ₦600,000 payment, RULAAC said the police’s denial should not be treated as the final word on the matter.
The organisation claimed Jennifer maintains that money was paid in connection with securing her release and called for investigators to identify the officers involved, determine whether any money changed hands and verify official bail documentation and related records.
RULAAC stressed that it does not oppose the investigation of cult-related killings or the prosecution of anyone against whom credible evidence exists, but insisted that serious criminal investigations must still comply with constitutional and legal safeguards.
The organisation called on the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State to order a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Jennifer’s arrest and detention, warning that it could petition the Inspector-General of Police for an independent review if the issues remain unresolved.
