This comes after repeated delays in transferring the case file, despite formal requests from the AGF and the defendant, Chukwunenye Nweke. 

The Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) has petitioned the Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, demanding the immediate transfer of the Crack Squad Zone 9 Police case file investigated by CSP Lalla Bitrus to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

This comes after repeated delays in transferring the case file, despite formal requests from the AGF and the defendant, Chukwunenye Nweke. 

CEHRAWS in a petition signed by its Executive Director, Okoye Chuka Peter, on Monday argues that withholding the file violates Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees a fair and timely trial.

Nweke, an Anambra State, indigene in 2023 told SaharaReporters that he was ambushed by officers of the Monitoring Unit, Zone 9, on 10 January 2023, while on his way to meet the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Zone 9 in Umuahia. 

He had claimed his only “crime” was reporting police corruption to the Force Headquarters in Abuja. 

“I was abducted on January 10, 2023, by officers of the Monitoring Unit, Zone 9, Umuahia. I did not commit any other crime other than complying with the instruction of the Inspector General of Police,” Nweke said.

He explained that he had earlier written petitions against CSP Bitrus over alleged corrupt activities. After his letter gained attention, he was directed to meet the AIG of Zone 9. 

“In January 2023, I travelled from Anambra to meet with the AIG Zone 9, behold, I was abducted by Oko Solomon and Inspector Orji Ndukwe and I was not allowed to see the AIG Zone 9,” he said.

Instead, he was charged with cyberterrorism, denied access to legal representation, and remanded in Umuahia Correctional Centre indefinitely.

CEHRAWS has expressed concerns over the police’s refusal to transfer the case file despite formal requests from both the AGF and Nweke. 

The group argues that withholding the file violates Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees a fair and timely trial. 

They also accused the AIG Zone 9 and prosecuting police lawyers of deliberately ignoring correspondence on the matter.

CEHRAWS is calling for immediate compliance with legal provisions, warning that failure to act will force them and other civil society organisations to escalate the issue. 

“The immediate transfer of the Crack Squad Zone 9 Police case file to the AGF as required by law” must be implemented, the group stated.

Nweke further alleged that police officers threatened him against seeking justice, boasting about their connections. “Before you engage Mrs Aguiyi in a case, you should go and make money as ‘she has already made money and has connections,’” he quoted the officers as saying. 

He added that his phone was unlawfully seized, and attempts by his family and legal representatives to retrieve it were denied.

Despite repeated efforts to obtain comments from the Police Public Relations Officer of Zone 9, identified as DSP Ihunanya, no response has been received.