RULAAC Demands Credible Investigation of Ifeanyi Okeke's Detention Over Controversial Death of Nnamdi Chidi in Enugu Community

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, RULAAC, has called for an independent and credible investigation into the controversial death of one NNAMDI CHIDI at Agunese Mmaku community, in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State. Following the death of nineteen-year-old CHIDI on May 8, 2025, the police arrested one IFEANYI OKEKE in November, 2025, and he has been languishing in the custody at the Force Headquarters in Abuja ever since. Sources close to the matter said IFEANYI OKEKE had allegedly issued verbal threat over the arrest and prolonged detention of his brother at the Force Intelligence Department for a previous matter, two days before the death of CHIDI. However, the mother of the deceased is purported to have admitted in a video statement (the source of which cannot be readily verified) that the death of her son was of natural causes and had nothing to do with an attack on account of the threat by IFEANYI OKEKE. VINCENT OKAFOR, who is the Legal Adviser to the Agunese Town Union, made those claims, further alleging that IFEANYI OKEKE was arrested by the police due to a long-running communal dispute between their traditional ruler and a section of the community, despite a joint statement by the town union dismissing the murder claim. Also speaking during a media briefing in Lagos on the conflicting claims, the Executive Director of RULAAC, OKECHUKWU NWANGUMA said there was the need for a thorough investigation to determine the actual cause of NNAMDI CHIDI’s death and the authenticity of an autopsy report suggesting that he was murdered. "According to representations made by Onuseluogu Birinus Nevobasi, the events leading to Nnamdi Chidi’s death are linked to an earlier police operation. He states that Jonathan Azubike Onuoha led a team of police officers from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja which arrested Emmanuel Okeke in connection with an ongoing investigation. "It is alleged that in the early hours of 6 May 2025, Ifeanyi Okeke, identified as Emmanuel Okeke’s younger brother, telephoned Jonathan Onuoha and issued threats, warning that violence would occur if Emmanuel was not released within 48 hours. According to this account, the threat was allegedly carried out shortly after the call when a group reportedly attacked Jonathan Onuoha’s family home. The attackers allegedly damaged the gate, forcibly entered the premises, and assaulted Jonathan’s elder sister and her children, who were visiting at the time. "It is further alleged that Nnamdi Chidi, the 19-year-old son of the woman assaulted, later died on 8 May 2025 at Beacon Hospital, Awgu, as a result of injuries sustained during the attack. The matter was reportedly reported to the Awgu Police Division, after which the remains were taken into police custody and investigations commenced. The suspects allegedly fled the community. "According to this account, the case file was transferred to the Homicide Department of the Enugu State Police Command, an autopsy was conducted, and investigators reportedly established a prima facie case of murder. The Force Headquarters Homicide Unit is said to have subsequently taken over the investigation, arrested the prime suspect, and recommended prosecution. "Concerns have been raised in this narrative that subsequent involvement by the IGP Monitoring Unit may have disrupted the homicide investigation, with allegations that efforts were underway to withdraw the case file from the homicide unit and pursue counter-allegations—including petitions of cyberbullying and character assassination—against those who raised the murder claim. These actions are alleged to be aimed at discrediting witnesses and securing the release of the suspect." Speaking further, NWANGUMA also stressed the need to ascertain the credibility and voluntariness of witness statements, including that of the deceased’s mother, as well as roles being played by the Enugu State Homicide Unit, the Force Headquarters, and the IGP Monitoring Unit, among other concerns. "A strongly opposing account, presented by Vincent Okafor and supported by statements attributed to the IGP Monitoring Unit, denies that Nnamdi Chidi was murdered. "According to this version, the deceased’s mother, Augustina Ogbaja Onuoha, reportedly stated that no one assaulted her son and that he died from natural causes linked to a pre-existing medical condition. It is claimed that this statement was recorded on video and made available to the IGP Monitoring Unit, which subsequently travelled from Abuja to Agunese Mmaku Community to conduct on-the-spot inquiries. "This account asserts that the IGP Monitoring Unit’s investigation concluded that no homicide occurred and that allegations of murder were fabricated. The Unit maintains that its role was to ensure investigative integrity, lawful oversight, and compliance with due process, following petitions alleging that false murder accusations were being weaponised against innocent individuals. "The counter narrative further alleges that individuals behind the murder claim have a history of submitting malicious petitions against community members, including prior allegations dating back to January 2022, in which prominent members of Agunese Mmaku Community were accused of sponsoring proscribed separatist or terrorist groups. These earlier petitions reportedly resulted in arrests, investigations, and prolonged disputes, but were later challenged as false and motivated by personal, political, or financial grievances. "In this version of events, the current murder allegation is presented as part of a broader pattern of internal community conflict, abuse of police processes, and misinformation, rather than a genuine homicide case. It is also alleged that those advancing the murder claim avoided engagement with the IGP Monitoring Unit and instead sought court orders to restrain further police interviews." Based on the contradiction in the two accounts of the incidents at Agunese Mmaku community, the RULAAC Executive Director said they both highlighted "serious unresolved questions regarding the actual cause of Nnamdi Chidi’s death; the existence, authenticity, and findings of any autopsy or medical reports; the credibility and voluntariness of witness statements, including that of the deceased’s mother; the jurisdictional roles and coordination between the Enugu State Homicide Unit, Force Headquarters, and the IGP Monitoring Unit; and whether criminal justice processes are being influenced by community conflicts, competing petitions, or abuse of police authority."