Eme Alfred Friday’s family and lawyers have been denied contact as he remains in secret detention at the Enugu State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit
By Ishaya Ibrahim
Eme Alfred Friday has reportedly been held incommunicado by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Enugu State Police Command for over 34 days. His family has been given no reason for his detention and has not been allowed to see him, according to a petition sent to Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa.
The petition, signed by Okechukwu Nwanguma, the Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), was also copied to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
According to a sworn account from Mr. Sunday Eme, Friday’s younger brother and a lecturer, the detainee was arrested at his residence in Lagos between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on June 26, 2025, by men who told his wife he was being taken to Enugu State. However, the petition reveals that Friday was later sighted in handcuffs at the Area B Police Command in Apapa, Lagos, contradicting the initial claim. No explanation for his arrest was given to his wife at the time.
The complaint further states that Friday was subsequently moved from the Lagos station, and his whereabouts were concealed for several days. Following extensive inquiries by his family, they were eventually informed that SUPOL John Ilia of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Enugu, was responsible for the arrest.
RULAAC asserts that the police’s actions violate several constitutionally protected rights under the 1999 Constitution, including the Right to personal liberty, the Right to be informed promptly of the reason for arrest and to be brought before a court within a reasonable time, and the Right to legal representation and access to family.
RULAAC is now demanding several actions: immediate disclosure of the reason for Friday’s arrest and detention; unconditional access for his family and legal counsel; his immediate release or formal arraignment before a competent court if any offense is alleged; an investigation and disciplinary action against all officers involved in the unlawful conduct, including SUPOL John Ilia; and institutional safeguards to prevent the recurrence of such arbitrary detentions by units under the Enugu State Police Command.
When confronted with the allegations, Daniel Ndukwe Ekea, the Enugu State Police Command spokesman, requested that the petition detailing the complaints be forwarded to him via WhatsApp. Despite the petition being sent, Ekea had not responded as of press time. Further attempts by our reporter to reach him via calls and text messages were unsuccessful. He neither took the calls nor replied the text message.
The petition is published below
PETITION AGAINST THE UNLAWFUL ARREST, DETENTION, AND INCOMMUNICADO HOLDING OF MR. EME ALFRED FRIDAY BY OFFICERS OF THE ANTI-KIDNAPPING UNIT, ENUGU
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) writes to express grave concern over the arrest and ongoing incommunicado detention of Mr. Eme Alfred Friday, reportedly being held by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Enugu State Police Command, under circumstances that constitute a gross violation of his fundamental human rights.
Statement of Facts
According to a sworn account by Mr. Sunday Eme, a lecturer and younger brother to the detainee, Mr. Friday was arrested at his residence between 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2025, by a group of men who informed his wife that he was being taken to Enugu State.
Contrary to that statement, he was initially sighted at Area B Police Command, Apapa, Lagos, in handcuffs. However, no explanation for his arrest was given to his wife. He was shortly after moved out of the Lagos station, and his whereabouts were concealed for several days. Following extensive inquiries, the family was informed that the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Enugu, was responsible for the arrest, led by SUPOL John Ilia.
Disturbingly, the unit initially denied having him in custody, and only after a covert phone call made by Mr. Friday on July 2, 2025, was his location confirmed. On July 3, 2025, after sustained pressure, the Unit finally acknowledged detaining him—without documentation, charge, or explanation, days after the actual arrest.
Despite multiple visits by family and legal representatives, Mr. Friday has not been informed of the reason for his arrest, has not been granted access to legal counsel, has not been allowed any communication with his family since July 2, and has not been formally charged or arraigned before any court.
As of today, July 29, 2025, he remains in secret, unlawful detention.
Violations Identified
This case reveals multiple and serious breaches of Mr. Friday’s constitutionally protected rights under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including:
– Section 35(1) – Right to personal liberty.
– Section 35(2) and (4) – Right to be informed promptly of the reason for arrest and to be brought before a court within a reasonable time.
– Section 35(6) – Right to compensation and public apology in the case of unlawful arrest or detention.
– Section 36(1) – Right to fair hearing.
– Section 36(4) – Right to legal representation and access to family.
This mode of arrest and prolonged detention without charge, access to legal counsel, or court appearance amounts to enforced disappearance, illegal detention, and flagrant abuse of police power.
Our Demands
RULAAC urgently calls for the following:
1. Immediate disclosure of the reason for Mr. Alfred Friday’s arrest and detention.
2. Immediate and unconditional access by his family and legal counsel.
3. Immediate release or formal arraignment before a competent court of law, if any offence is alleged.
4. Investigation and disciplinary action against all officers involved in the unlawful conduct, including SUPOL John Ilia.
5. Institutional safeguards to prevent recurrence of such arbitrary detention by units under the Enugu State Police Command.
This petition is made in pursuit of justice, respect for due process, and the rule of law, which are essential pillars of democratic policing and fundamental human rights.
We look forward to your urgent intervention in this matter. Please be assured that we remain available for further engagement and documentation as necessary.
Yours sincerely,
Okechukwu Nwanguma
Executive Director
Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC)
(08064074531)
