After murdering Japheth Njoku, Tiger Base Police officers frustrating court-ordered autopsy – RULAAC, PRO
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) and the People’s Rights Organization (PRO) have accused officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (Tiger Base), Homicide Section, and D3 Anti-Fraud Unit of the Imo State Police Command of deliberately obstructing justice in the case of Mr. Japheth Njoku, a 32-year-old man who was tortured to death while in police custody.
In a joint petition addressed to the Police Service Commission (PSC), the two organizations allege that the implicated officers have defied multiple court orders, frustrated a Coroner-ordered autopsy, and are now harassing and charging witnesses in a desperate attempt to cover up a custodial killing.
“Instead of complying with lawful court orders for an autopsy, the officers have resorted to diversionary tactics, filing false charges against the deceased’s co-inmates and intimidating witnesses,” said Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of RULAAC. “This is a brazen act of insubordination, obstruction of justice, and contempt for the rule of law.”
Custodial Killing and Cover-Up
According to the petition, Mr. Njoku died on May 5, 2025, after five weeks of unlawful detention, torture, and extortion by operatives of Tiger Base, led by Insp. Barnabas, following a baseless petition by one Mrs. Oluchi Obiagwu, a trader allegedly aided by her sister, a serving policewoman.
Despite orders from the Coroner’s Court, Owerri, and directives by the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, to conduct an autopsy and halt all parallel investigations, the implicated officers:
*Refused to appear before the Coroner;
*Fabricated new charges of “receiving stolen goods” against the deceased’s co-detainees and witnesses;
*Failed to present the body for autopsy on October 28 and 30, 2025, even after five court extensions; and
*Continued to intimidate witnesses and extort money under police cover.
RULAAC and PRO allege that the officers are working in collusion with Mrs. Obiagwu, a major suspect in the murder, who has been funding police operatives to obstruct justice and manipulate the investigation.
“This is not just an abuse of power – it is a calculated cover-up of murder under police custody,” stated Dr. C. C. Nwadigo, Executive Director of PRO. “By defying court orders and intimidating witnesses, these officers are undermining the integrity of the entire police institution.”
Call for Immediate Action
The petitioners urge the Police Service Commission (PSC) to:
1. Direct an independent investigation into the torture, death, and cover-up;
2. Suspend and discipline all implicated officers, including Insp. Barnabas and CSP Oladimeji (O/C Tiger Base);
3. Halt the unlawful arraignment of the deceased’s co-inmates;
4. Enforce immediate compliance with the Coroner’s Court order for an autopsy; and
5. Guarantee protection for witnesses and the deceased’s family members who are being harassed.
They further call for the immediate removal of the case from the compromised Homicide Section, SCID Owerri, and the D3 Anti-Fraud Unit.
A Test for Police Accountability
RULAAC and PRO emphasized that the continued defiance of lawful court orders by serving police officers is a grave affront to the rule of law, and urged the PSC to act swiftly to restore public confidence in police oversight and discipline.
“For nearly six months, the family of Japheth Njoku has sought justice through lawful channels,” Nwanguma added. “The PSC must now demonstrate that rogue officers cannot hide behind the uniform to escape accountability.”
