Torture, enforced disappearance: Fresh victims storm court as RULAAC’s suits against Imo’s Tiger Base take off
By Ishaya Ibrahim
Four fundamental rights enforcement suits filed by the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) against the Tiger Base Unit of the Imo State Police Command came up for the first time on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, before the Vacation Court sitting in Owerri.
The suits were filed on behalf of eight identified victims, all indigenes of Imo State, who alleged serious violations of their constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights by officers attached to the police unit, which RULAAC has described as notorious.
During proceedings, the court observed that the court bailiff had filed only one proof of service for each suit, rather than separate proofs of service covering all respondents in the respective suits.
The court also directed counsel to the applicants, Chinedu Agu, to take additional steps regarding service on the Nigeria Police, the Police Service Commission, and the Inspector-General of Police. Although Order 5 Rule 2 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules permits service on the Nigeria Police Force through the Commissioner of Police as its agent, the court advised counsel to err on the side of caution by filing an application for substituted service on the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, and the Nigeria Police Force.
The matters were consequently adjourned to August 11, 2026, for the hearing of the necessary motions.
The National Human Rights Commission was represented at the sitting by two lawyers who attended on behalf of the Commission to monitor developments in the cases. Several private legal practitioners were also present in solidarity with the victims, alongside other civil society organisations.
In a dramatic development, other individuals who identified themselves as victims of the Tiger Base Unit appeared in court after learning about the proceedings through social media, and expressed interest to the applicants’ counsel in being joined in the suits.
It remained unclear at press time what position RULAAC would take regarding the new requests, particularly as fundamental rights enforcement proceedings are considered sui generis and may not readily accommodate joinder in the manner proposed. RULAAC says it may ultimately consider instituting separate actions should additional victims and distinct cases of rights violations be identified.
