RULAAC Urges IGP To Release Alleged Awkuzu Extrajudicial Killings Report

 

RULAAC Urges IGP To Release Alleged  Awkuzu Extrajudicial Killings Report

NKIRU NWAGBO.

The Rule of law and Accountability Advocacy Center (RULAAC) has urges the office of Inspector General of Police  Tunji Disu to publicly disclose the investigation report on Rapid Response Squad/ Anti -Kidnapping Unit , Awkuzu Anambra State 2023 and related allegations.

It would be recalled that the special investigation  Panel was constituted in February 2023 to examine the allegations against officers of the said unit .

In a statement signed by the Executive Director RULAAC Okechukwu Nwanguma, said despite sustained public interest and repeated inquiries by civil society organizations the report has not been published.

The Executive Director RULAAC said that , on 17th February 2023 the then Inspector General of Police  established panel under the IGP Monitoring and Mentoring Unit to investigate the allegations to include  extrajudicial killings, high handedness, Organ harvesting, abuse of office among other serious misconducts.

He said the panel was reportedly mandated to conclude it's work  within two weeks and the.members of  the public were invited to submit their evidences.

Nwanguma  expressed dismay that three years later, Nigerian police has not deemed it fit  to release the report for public consumption.

According to the Executive Director in the statement "Matters of Grave Public Concern from portions of the interim findings reviewed, the following issues were identified:- Eighteen (18) complaints from members of the public alleging high-handedness and extrajudicial killings.-

" Eleven (11) custodial deaths between March and December 2022 classified as “Sudden and Unnatural Death (SUD).”-

" Absence of proper police diaries and statutory registers (Cell State, Crime Diary, Lockup Register, etc.), undermining traceability and accountability.- 

"Findings pointing to operational and supervisory lapses within the Unit.- Recommendations for reorganisation and reorientation of the Unit.- 

Recommendation for a public briefing by the Force Public Relations Department once appropriate.At the same time, the report reportedly found no confirmed evidence of organ harvesting or dealing in human parts.

" It further found no evidence linking SP Nkeiruka Nwode to the alleged misconduct, and she was formally cleared in relation to the allegations reviewed.

"Given the extent to which the officer’s name became publicly associated with these serious allegations, formal public clarification of her exoneration would be consistent with principles of fairness, natural justice, and institutional transparency.

"These dual realities - grave allegations on one hand and formal exoneration on the other - make transparency not optional, but necessary.

"Why Public Disclosure Is Imperative 1. Justice for Victims and Families eleven custodial deaths require transparent explanation. Every death in custody engages constitutional obligations under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantees the Right to Life.The Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that the State bears a heightened duty of care toward persons in its custody. Where deaths occur, accountability must be demonstrable.

"2. Protection of Officers Cleared of Wrongdoing where an officer has been investigated and cleared, continued institutional silence perpetuates reputational injury. Public exoneration is as important as public accountability.Transparency protects the innocent as much as it exposes wrongdoing

".3. Institutional Integrity and Reform the reported recommendations included structural reorganisation, improved record-keeping, and strengthened supervision. Nigerians are entitled to know:- What reforms were implemented;- Whether disciplinary or criminal proceedings were initiated;- Whether oversight mechanisms were strengthened.Institutional credibility is strengthened - not weakened - by openness.

"4. Consistency with Official Assurance the Nigeria Police Force publicly indicated that the panel’s findings would inform the public where necessary. That assurance created legitimate public expectation.Failure to disclose after three years undermines confidence and fuels speculation.

RULAAC’s Principled Position: Our position remains balanced and grounded in rule-of-law principles:- If wrongdoing occurred, those responsible must face disciplinary and/or criminal accountability.- If systemic weaknesses were identified, reforms must be implemented and publicly acknowledged.- If officers were cleared, they must be publicly exonerated.- If allegations were maliciously fabricated, that too must be officially clarified.Justice must protect the innocent.Justice must confront wrongdoing.Justice must be seen to be done.

"Our Requests: We respectfully urge your office to:1. Publish the full investigation report; or at minimum, release an official public summary detailing:- Findings;- Disciplinary or criminal actions taken;- Status of implicated officers;- Institutional reforms implemented.

"2. Clarify the status of the eleven custodial deaths referenced in the report, including whether independent medical or forensic reviews were conducted.

"3. Inform the public of measures taken to address the absence of mandatory police diaries, lockup registers, and supervision gaps identified in the findings.

"Silence in matters of this magnitude erodes trust. Transparency strengthens institutions.The credibility of the Nigeria Police Force will not be diminished by disclosure. It will be strengthened by it.We look forward to your response and remain open to constructive engagement in the interest of justice, accountability, and institutional reform" he added.