RULAAC Raises Alarm Over N600,000 Bail Payment, Reported Rearrest of Woman at RRS Awkuzu

By Tony Okafor, Awka

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has raised the alarm over the whereabouts and safety of Ms. Nwosu Chikamso Jennifer following her reported return to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, Anambra State, amid controversy over an alleged N600,000 payment for her release.

RULAAC, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said Nwosu contacted the organisation on September 6, alleging that she was arrested on August 31 and detained for four days because police were looking for her brother, who was reportedly wanted over an alleged murder.

She alleged that N600,000 was paid on September 3 for her “administrative bail”, but no receipt or acknowledgement was issued. She also alleged that her mobile phone was seized without a seizure form or property receipt.

RULAAC said Nwosu was directed to report back to RRS Awkuzu on September 7 and had expressed fear that she might be detained again or subjected to further demands for money. She said she would attend with her lawyer.

The rights group subsequently contacted the Anambra State Police Command, seeking clarification on the legal basis of her initial detention, the alleged N600,000 payment, the seizure of her phone and her safety upon returning to the station.

However, RULAAC said it had been unable to reach Nwosu since she reported at RRS Awkuzu, with her telephone remaining unreachable.

According to the organisation, the Police Public Relations Officer later connected it with the Commissioner of Police, who allegedly said Nwosu had “betrayed” the police by reporting the matter to RULAAC.

The Commissioner also reportedly told RULAAC that Nwosu, in the presence of her lawyer, denied telling the organisation that N600,000 had been demanded or obtained from her.

RULAAC, however, said this conflicted with Nwosu’s written communication to the organisation before her return to the station, in which she expressly stated that N600,000 had been paid for her administrative bail without a receipt.

More troublingly, RULAAC said the Police PRO informed it that the Commissioner had ordered Nwosu’s rearrest.

The organisation said it had not been told the offence for which she was allegedly rearrested, where she was being detained or whether she had been taken before a court.

RULAAC stressed that it was not alleging that Nwosu was coerced into changing her account, but said the circumstances made it essential that she be allowed to communicate freely and confidentially with her lawyer, family and the organisation.

It called on the Police Command to immediately disclose Nwosu’s whereabouts and legal status, the basis of any rearrest, her place of detention, access to counsel and family, the circumstances surrounding the alleged N600,000 payment, who received the money and the status of her seized telephone.

RULAAC also demanded an explanation of why seeking assistance from a human-rights organisation was described as a “betrayal”.

The organisation warned that it would escalate the matter to appropriate police oversight and human-rights authorities if Nwosu’s whereabouts and legal status were not promptly clarified.

It acknowledged the police’s duty to investigate the murder allegation reportedly involving Nwosu’s brother, but insisted that criminal responsibility was personal.

“No person should become a substitute suspect, hostage or bargaining instrument for the apprehension of another,” RULAAC said.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, denied any police involvement in the alleged N600,000, but confirmed that the lady in question was arrested by the command .