Police, RULAAC disagree over N600,000 for suspect’s bail

The Anambra State Police Command and the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre have locked horns over the allegation of a N600,000 bribe paid to secure the freedom of the sister of a wanted suspect.

The victim, identified as Ms Nwosu Chikamso Jennifer, was reportedly arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into cult-related killings in Awka.

South-East PUNCH gathered that Jennifer was arrested on August 31, 2026, allegedly in relation to police investigations involving her brother, Nwosu Kenechukwu, who was wanted in connection with an alleged murder case.

According to her account to RULAAC, she was detained for four days and repeatedly required to produce her brother, adding that she eventually paid N600,000 on September 3, 2026, before she was released on “administrative bail”.

She said no receipt was issued for the money, alleging that her mobile telephone was seized without a seizure form or property receipt.

However, the police command denied demanding N600,000 to release her from custody, but the civil society organisation said the incident raised key accountability questions, adding that the police denial did not answer the question of alleged bribery.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement described the claims of N600,000 extortion as “misleading”, adding that the development was based on a letter written by the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre and signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma.

Ikenga insisted that Jennifer was granted bail in accordance with established police procedures after undertaking to cooperate with investigators and assist in efforts to locate and apprehend her brother, who remains a person of interest in the ongoing investigation.

He insisted that on no account was N600,000 demanded as a condition for Jennifer’s release, and neither was she arrested on the basis of her relationship with the suspect.

He said, “The Command’s investigation established that Nwosu Kenechukwu has emerged as a person of interest in ongoing investigations into several cult-related killings in Awka. Further investigation established that Ms Jennifer became aware of efforts by police operatives to apprehend her brother and subsequently assisted him in evading arrest.

“Her arrest was therefore made in the course of a legitimate criminal investigation arising from her alleged conduct, and not merely on account of her relationship with the suspect.

“The Command also categorically and unequivocally denies the allegation that N600,000, or any other monetary consideration, was demanded as a condition for Ms Jennifer’s release. At no time did the police demand or impose any financial payment as a condition for her release.

“Ms Jennifer was granted bail in accordance with established police procedures after undertaking to cooperate with investigators and assist in efforts to locate and apprehend her brother, who remains a person of interest in the ongoing investigation.”

The PPRO said the Command would not be distracted by unverified narratives capable of misleading members of the public.

“The Command therefore urges media organisations, civil society groups and members of the public to exercise due diligence and verify sensitive allegations with the appropriate authorities before publication, particularly where such reports have the potential to mislead the public, undermine confidence in law enforcement or compromise ongoing criminal investigations.

However, the Executive Director, RULAAC, Nwanguma, on Tuesday expressed concern over the attempt by the police to lecture civil society organisations and the media about “due diligence” and verification when RULAAC specifically sought verification from the police before the matter entered the public domain.

He said the denial of the alleged N600,000 payment did not clear the allegation, especially as the victim maintains that money was paid in connection with securing her release, adding that the serious allegation required investigation, not denial.

He said, “RULAAC has taken note of the statement issued by the Anambra State Police Command through its Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, concerning the arrest and detention of Ms Nwosu Chikamso Jennifer.

“Upon receiving the complaint, RULAAC did not simply accept the allegations as established facts. We contacted the appropriate Police authorities and requested that the claims be verified and investigated.

“The Police Public Relations Officer was specifically contacted and given an opportunity to provide the Command’s position. Our communication was read, but no response was received for about 48 hours.

“It was only after the matter became public that the Command found it necessary to respond. It is therefore inappropriate for the Command to suggest that civil society organisations and the media failed to exercise due diligence.

“What greater due diligence could reasonably have been expected of RULAAC than to take the allegations directly to the police and request verification before drawing conclusions?”

According to Nwanguma, public institutions cannot ignore legitimate requests for clarification and subsequently accuse those seeking clarification of failing to verify information.

“The Command has now introduced an important factual claim: that Ms Jennifer was not arrested merely because she is the sister of Nwosu Kenechukwu, but because she allegedly assisted him to evade arrest. That allegation should be capable of objective verification.

“If the police had reasonable grounds to suspect her of committing an offence, they should state the specific offence allegedly committed and demonstrate that her arrest, detention and treatment complied with the Constitution, the Police Act 2020 and applicable criminal justice legislation.

“The Command should also explain why Ms Jennifer was reportedly detained for four days without being charged before a court. An allegation that a person assisted a suspect to evade arrest does not suspend constitutional safeguards governing arrest and detention.

“More importantly, the categorical denial of the alleged N600,000 payment does not dispose of the allegation. Ms Jennifer maintains that money was paid in connection with securing her release. This is a serious allegation that requires investigation, not simply denial.

“The appropriate response is to identify the officers who handled her arrest and detention, establish whether any money changed hands, trace the circumstances of any such transaction, and determine whether official bail documentation and property records exist,” he added.

He said RULAAC had no interest in obstructing the investigation of cult-related killings or shielding any person reasonably suspected of murder or other serious crimes, but anyone against whom credible evidence exists should be investigated and prosecuted according to law.

“But the seriousness of an investigation cannot justify unlawful arrest, prolonged detention, arrest by proxy, extortion or any other violation of due process.

“RULAAC therefore calls on the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, to order a transparent and impartial investigation into the circumstances of Ms Jennifer’s arrest and four-day detention, including the allegation that N600,000 was paid in connection with her release.

“We hope that the Anambra State Police Command will address these issues fairly, objectively and transparently.

“However, if the Command is unable or unwilling to satisfactorily resolve the serious questions raised by this complaint, RULAAC may have no other option than to petition the Inspector-General of Police for an independent review and appropriate investigation of the matter.

“This should not be necessary if the Command subjects the competing claims to a credible fact-finding process rather than treating its own public denial as the final determination of the complaint.”

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).