N1.7m alleged extortion by police: CEHRAWS seeks justice for victim

A non-governmental organization, the Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), has petitioned the Police Service Commission in Nigeria over alleged misconduct and abuse of power by ASP Chiadighikaobi Ogbonna and other police officers.

According to the petition, dated December 12, 2024, the accused officers extorted N1.7 million from a victim, Mr. Chibuzor Nzemaroba, who was unlawfully detained on a civil matter, tortured, and left with physical and mental injuries.

“The actions of the accused officers are not only a breach of the social contract between the police and the public but also a gross abuse of the trust bestowed upon the Nigeria Police Force,” said Okoye Chuka Peter, Executive Director of CEHRAWS.

CEHRAWS stated that the accused officers’ actions breached several laws, including Section 34(1) of the 1999 Constitution, Section 396 of the Police Act, 2020, and Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

“We have received credible reports substantiated by Mr. Ochiegbu Marvelous, the Abia State coordinator of Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation, indicating that the accused person/s extorted the sum of N1, 700,000.00 (One Million Seven Hundred Thousand) naira from their victim,” the petition read.

The organization emphasized that the Police Service Commission has a statutory duty to “appoint, promote, dismiss and discipline” police personnel, as enshrined in Paragraph 30(a) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution.

“We urge the Police Service Commission to take immediate action to investigate this matter, discipline the accused officers, and provide restitution to the victim,” Peter emphasized. “This is necessary to restore public trust in the police and ensure that justice is served.”

The organization also demanded a public apology from the police and policy reforms to prevent similar incidents. “We trust in the ability of the Police Service Commission to uphold the rule of law and restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force,” Peter said.

CEHRAWS copied the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, House Committee on Police Affairs, House Committee on Human Rights, Police Public Complaint Committee (PPCC), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), and Abia Civil Society Network (ACSON) on the petition.

Police Brutality In Nigeria…

Police brutality remains a pervasive and deeply ingrained issue in Nigeria, with numerous cases of extrajudicial killings, torture, and extortion reported across the country.

The Nigerian Police Force has faced widespread criticism for its heavy-handed approach to law enforcement, with many officers allegedly using excessive force against civilians, often with impunity.

This culture of brutality has eroded trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, creating a sense of fear and mistrust that undermines the very fabric of society.

The EndSARS protests in 2020 brought international attention to the issue of police brutality in Nigeria, with demonstrators demanding reforms and greater accountability within the police force.

While the government has taken some steps to address these concerns, including the establishment of a judicial panel to investigate allegations of police misconduct, much work remains to be done to address the systemic issues that perpetuate police brutality in Nigeria.

Until meaningful reforms are implemented and officers are held accountable for their actions, the scourge of police brutality will continue to plague Nigerian society.

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