RULAAC alleges Delta anti-kidnap unit collected ₦510,000 bail from man detained over dispute with girlfriend
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police to investigate officers of the Delta State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit over allegations of extortion, unlawful detention, abuse of bail process, and retention of personal property.
In a June 5, 2026 petition signed by Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC said it was seeking redress for Mr. Peter Okwuokei, who alleged he was detained overnight at the Anti-Kidnapping headquarters in Asaba after a dispute with his girlfriend at a hotel.
According to RULAAC’s complaint and Okwuokei’s narrative, police officers initially demanded ₦1.5 million for bail but later collected ₦500,000 before his release. Okwuokei also alleged he suffered an asthma attack in custody and was denied prompt medical attention until other detainees raised alarm. His vehicle and two mobile phones were seized and allegedly retained even after forensic extraction was completed.
RULAAC further alleged that officers imposed conditions for the release of the vehicle, including producing a guarantor who owned property in Asaba and rejecting proposed guarantors on “questionable grounds.”
The group also accused police of participating in negotiations over monetary compensation between Okwuokei and his girlfriend, with demands reportedly ranging from ₦10 million to ₦1 million.
RULAAC said it wrote to the Investigating Police Officer, Inspector Sunday Bisong Odu, on June 4, 2026, and copied the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, but received no response 24 hours after.
The group said the allegations, if proven, would violate Sections 34, 35, 36, 37 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution, the Police Act 2020, and the principle that bail is free.
RULAAC urged the IGP to order an “immediate, impartial and thorough investigation,” determine if money was demanded for bail, ascertain the legal basis for continued seizure of Okwuokei’s vehicle and phones, and sanction any officer found culpable.
“This case presents an opportunity to demonstrate that those commitments are meaningful and that misconduct will not be tolerated regardless of the officers involved,” Nwanguma wrote.
RULAAC said Okwuokei’s health deteriorated after the incident, with doctors recording blood pressure of about 240, and that he remains hospitalized.
When TheNiche contacted Delta State Police Public Relations Officer Bright Edafe via WhatsApp for comment on the ₦510,000 extortion allegation, he did not directly address the claim against officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. Instead, Edafe attacked Okwuokei’s character.
“He is going up and down saying what he likes. He was not extorted. I will also advise he tell you guys how wicked he is and what he did. He seems to be silent on that while looking for public sympathy by giving allegations.”
