Police allegedly used to arrest complainants, move them from Imo to Abuja after estate electricity dispute
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over the alleged arbitrary arrest and unlawful detention of two Imo residents, Engr. Leonard Uzoma and Ndubuisi Uchehara, by officers of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) at the behest of an estate developer, Michael Igbo.
In the petition dated 25 July 2026 and signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, Igbo allegedly used his influence with the FID to interfere with an ongoing police investigation by the Imo State Police Command and cause the arrest of Uzoma and Uchehara.
According to RULAAC, on 29 June 2026, Credo Legal submitted a petition to the Imo State Commissioner of Police over an alleged assault on Engr. Uzoma by officers of the Special Protection Unit, Base 9, Umuahia. The officers were alleged to have acted at the instance of Igbo, an estate developer, following a disagreement over electricity connection in the estate.
“The officers assaulted Engr. Uzoma, tore his clothes, humiliated him and his wife, verbally abused his wife, and discharged tear gas within his residential compound, exposing his young children and other members of his household to unnecessary trauma and distress,” RULAAC reveals in the petition.
RULAAC stated that the X-Squad Unit of the Imo Command commenced investigation and Engr. Uzoma made a statement on 2 July 2026. Igbo was invited but reportedly failed to appear, after requesting an extension to 24 July 2026.
Engr. Uzoma also filed a fundamental rights suit at the Imo State High Court, Suit No. HOW/444/2026, scheduled for hearing on 28 July 2026.
RULAAC said that while both matters were pending, the estate transformer was removed. As Secretary and Chairman of the estate respectively, Engr. Uzoma and Mr. Uchehara reported the incident to the Imo Command. During that probe, the estate security personnel allegedly stated that Igbo removed the transformer around 4:00 a.m.
The Imo Command then invited both Uzoma and Uchehara to report on Friday, 24 July 2026.
“Shockingly, while honouring that invitation and upon arriving in front of the Imo State Police Headquarters, the two men were allegedly intercepted and arrested by officers attached to the Force Intelligence Department on allegations of transformer vandalism. We are informed that this arrest was carried out at the instance of Mr. Michael Igbo,” the petition read.
RULAAC said the duo were taken from Owerri to Enugu for overnight detention on 24 July, and as of Saturday, 25 July, were being transported by road to Abuja.
The group said the development raises concerns of “victimisation of a complainant” and possible use of police powers to advance a private interest in a civil dispute.
In the petition to the IGP, RULAAC demanded the immediate release of Uzoma and Uchehara unless there are credible and lawful grounds for detention.
It also asked for probe of the circumstances of their arrest and transfer from Owerri to Enugu and onward to Abuja.
It added: “Investigate the role of FID officers and whether the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, Police Act 2020, and the Constitution were complied with.
“Probe the allegation that police powers are being deployed at the instance of Mr. Igbo to intimidate Engr. Uzoma.
“Ensure the X-Squad investigation into the alleged assault by SPU officers proceeds without interference, and take disciplinary action against any officer found to have abused police powers.”
RULAAC added: “We respectfully request your urgent intervention to prevent further abuse of process and to reassure members of the public that the Nigeria Police Force will not permit its investigative machinery to be used as an instrument of oppression or private vendetta.”
