In a statement released on Sunday, March 30, 2025, Ejiofor emphasised that the police are not a debt recovery agency, citing statutory laws and multiple judicial precedents that explicitly prohibit the force from engaging in private financial disputes.

A human rights lawyer, Sir Ifeanyi C. Ejiofor, has strongly criticised the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for allegedly acting outside its constitutional mandate by arresting and detaining a woman over a private financial dispute instigated by her husband.

In a statement released on Sunday, March 30, 2025, Ejiofor emphasised that the police are not a debt recovery agency, citing statutory laws and multiple judicial precedents that explicitly prohibit the force from engaging in private financial disputes.

Police Not Mandated for Debt Recovery

Ejiofor referenced Section 4 of the Nigeria Police Act, which outlines the official duties of the NPF, and noted that it makes no provision for debt recovery. 

He further cited court rulings, including Kure v Commissioner of Police (2020) LPELR-49378(SC) and Madaki & Anor v GTB & Anor (2022) LPELR-57419(CA), affirming that the police cannot be used as a tool for settling private financial disputes.

Allegations of Police Brutality and Unlawful Detention

According to Ejiofor, officers from the Monitoring Unit of the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja unlawfully arrested, brutalised, tortured, and detained Mrs. Joy Smart Chinenye on March 28, 2025. 

The arrest was based on a petition from her legally married husband, Mr George Obinna Smart Unaegbu, who accused her of failing to repay the money he had given her for forex trading.

Ejiofor alleged that instead of pursuing civil legal avenues, Unaegbu used the police to forcibly recover the debt. 

According to Ejiofor, officers stormed their Lagos residence, arrested Chinenye in front of their children, and detained her at FCID Annex, Panti. 

“There, she was coerced into transferring ₦5 million to her husband’s account,” Ejiofor said. “When she could not commit to paying an additional ₦10 million, she was forcibly transported to Abuja and held at the notorious Abattoir detention facility, a known holding ground for hardened criminals.”

Adding to the distress, Ejiofor claimed that in her absence, her husband relocated their children and took possession of her personal belongings.

Violation of Police Directives

The lawyer pointed out that the Nigeria Police Service Commission (NPSC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) have issued directives prohibiting officers from engaging in land disputes, arrests by proxy, and debt recovery. However, the officers involved allegedly ignored these directives, prioritising private financial interests over their constitutional duty.

Call for Immediate Action

Ejiofor urged the Inspector General of Police to order the immediate and unconditional release of Mrs. Joy Smart Chinenye, conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged abuse of power and sanction all officers involved to deter future misconduct.

While considering legal action, Ejiofor stressed the importance of bringing the case to public attention to prevent further violations of the rule of law. 

He emphasised that the Nigerian police must not be used as a tool for private disputes, especially in a case involving the mistreatment of a mother on Mothering Sunday.

This incident, he noted, directly contradicts recent warnings from the highest levels of the police authority against such unethical practices, which continue to tarnish the force's reputation.