Skip to main content

Police Misconduct: A mother detained over alleged debt in a clear violation of Nigeria's laws

In a recent troubling incident, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, a human rights activist and lawyer, asserts that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is unequivocally not a debt recovery agency, despite allegations to the contrary. According to prevailing statutory laws and judicial precedents, the NPF is not authorized to engage in debt collection activities.

The Nigeria Police Act clearly defines the duties and responsibilities of the NPF, omitting any provisions for debt recovery. Moreover, superior courts have consistently ruled that the police cannot be utilized as instruments for resolving private financial disputes. Landmark cases such as KURE v. COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (2020)  and MADAKI & ANOR v. GTB & ANOR (2022)** reaffirm this stance.

One egregious example highlighted by Ejiofor involves the distressing case of Mrs. Joy Smart Chinenye, who was brutally arrested and detained by officers from the NPF’s Monitoring Unit. This incident unfolded on March 28, 2025, which was also Mothering Sunday—a day that should have been devoted to celebrating motherhood.

Acting on a petition from her legally married husband, Mr. George Obinna Smart Unaegbu, Mrs. Chinenye was arrested in her Lagos home in the presence of their children. Her husband had purportedly provided her with funds for forex trading, which she could not repay. Instead of seeking legal remedies through civil channels, he enlisted police involvement. Following her arrest, she was coerced into transferring ₦5 million to her husband's account. When she was unable to fulfill a demand for an additional ₦10 million, she was forcibly taken to Abuja's notorious Abattoir detention facility, known for housing hardened criminals.

Shocking developments continued in her absence, as her husband relocated their children and seized her personal belongings.

DIRECT VIOLATION OF POLICE DIRECTIVES

The Nigeria Police Service Commission (NPSC), under Chairman DIG Hashimu Argungu (RTD), along with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), has issued definitive directives prohibiting officers from engaging in:

1. Handling complaints regarding land disputes 
2. Arrests on behalf of others (arrests by proxy)
3. Debt recovery, among other issues.

In this instance, the officers involved grossly flouted these directives, demonstrating a preference for private financial disputes over their constitutional obligations.

A CALL TO ACTION

We call upon the Inspector General of Police to:

1. Immediately and unconditionally release Mrs. Joy Smart Chinenye.
2. Conduct a thorough investigation into this abuse of power.
3. Sanction all officers involved to prevent future misconduct.

While legal action is being evaluated, it is crucial to elevate public awareness of this incident to uphold the rule of law. The Nigeria Police must not be misused as a tool for settling private grievances, particularly on a day meant to honor mothers. Such actions are especially egregious given the explicit warnings issued by the highest levels of police authority against such misconduct that undermines the institution's integrity.

Popular posts from this blog

Tinubu Appoints Chioma Awuzie Substantive Rector, Fed Poly Oko

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie as the substantive Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State.  Dr. Awuzie's appointment, which takes effect immediately for a five-year term, follows the recommendation of the Polytechnic's Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Dr. Barnabas Gemade, after a transparent and competitive selection process where she emerged as the leading candidate. Prior to her appointment, Awuzie, who holds a Doctorate Degree in Physical and Materials Chemistry, was a distinguished Chief Lecturer in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (Chemistry Option) and also Director in-charge of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Projects in the Polytechnic.  Under her stewardship, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, witnessed unprecedented advancements in infrastructure and institutional transformation.  Her leadership facilitated monumental developments across the Polytechnic’s campuses in Oko, ...
Read more

#Watchvideo : SECURITY FORCES BURST THE CAMP OF UNKNOWN GUNMEN IN AKOKWA

Security Forces in the state through a coordinated intelligence report has bursted the camp of the unknown gunmen at Akokwa, Arondizuogu after a long gun duel which resulted to the death of some of the criminals and others arrested. These criminal elements have been known to be behind several attacks in the state such as the killing of police men in Mbaise, Aba Branch in Ehime Mbano, burning down of police stations, attack and attempted kidnapping of former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, abduction of Miss. P.P. Johnson, a female soldier in Okigwe and recently the attack in Akokwa that left many dead. It is obvious that these daredevil gunmen have been perpetuating their evil plans unabated until yesterday when their camp was bursted by security agencies. This is another assurance that our security operatives are leaving no stone unturned in the fight against banditry and other related activities. While it has become obvious that the activities of these non state actors are politically motivate...
Read more

Tension In Uruagu Nnewi As Community Leaders Dare Soludo,Defy Court Order

The President of Uruagu-Nnewi Development Union, Chief Sunday Okoli aka Organizer, and the Obi of Uruagu-Nnewi community in Nnewi North local government area of Anambra State, His Majesty Afamefuna Charles Obi, have swept Soludo's directive to the gutters, by reason of their suspension and subsequent dessolution of the leadership of the community's youth forum, led by Ejike Ifejiofor, and subsequent appointment of caretaker executive to pilot the affairs of youths in the community. The Anambra governor had, through a letter dated August 9, 2024, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Martin Agbili, warned the community leaders to stay any action regarding suspension of the Uruagu-Nnewi youth forum. The community had, through its PG, Chief Okoli, written to the Ministry of Youths Development, notifying the ministry of "immediate suspension" of the youth group over alleged insecurity in the area. But the ministry,...
Read more