₦600,000 bail claim: RULAAC seeks answers over Nwosu Chikamso’s whereabouts

Chinedum Ukaegbu

Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has raised concerns over the whereabouts, safety and legal status of Ms. Nwosu Chikamso Jennifer following her return to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, Anambra State.

RULAAC, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said Nwosu contacted the organisation on September 6, 2026, alleging that she had earlier been detained for four days at RRS Awkuzu, formerly SARS, after police operatives allegedly failed to locate her brother, who was reportedly wanted in connection with a murder allegation.

According to RULAAC, Nwosu said she was arrested on August 31 and detained for four days despite insisting that she had not been accused of any offence.

The organisation also said Nwosu alleged that ₦600,000 was paid on September 3 for her release on what was described as administrative bail, but that no receipt or acknowledgement was issued for the payment.

She also reportedly told RULAAC that her mobile phone had been seized without a seizure form or property receipt.
RULAAC identified the investigating officer mentioned by Nwosu as Mr. Odoh Kingsley of RRS Awkuzu.

The organisation said Nwosu was directed to report back to the station on September 7 and had expressed fears that she could be detained again or subjected to further demands for money.

RULAAC said it subsequently contacted the Anambra State Police Command, requesting clarification on the legal basis for her initial arrest and detention, the alleged ₦600,000 payment, the retention of her telephone and the circumstances surrounding her return to the police station.

The organisation, however, said it had been unable to reach Nwosu since she reported to RRS Awkuzu on September 7, as her telephone had remained unreachable.

According to RULAAC, the development became more concerning following telephone communications with senior officers of the Anambra State Police Command.

RULAAC said the Police Public Relations Officer subsequently connected its officials with the Commissioner of Police, who allegedly stated that Nwosu had “betrayed” the Police by reporting the matter to the organisation.

The Commissioner also reportedly informed RULAAC that Nwosu, in the presence of her lawyer, had denied telling the organisation that ₦600,000 was demanded or obtained before her release.

RULAAC said the account was difficult to reconcile with the written communication it received from Nwosu before she returned to the police station.

The organisation said it was therefore faced with two conflicting accounts and could not independently establish why the accounts differed because it had been unable to speak with Nwosu since her return to RRS Awkuzu.

RULAAC further alleged that the Police Public Relations Officer informed it that the Commissioner of Police had ordered Nwosu’s rearrest.

It said it had not been informed of the specific offence for which the alleged rearrest was ordered, whether she was actually taken into custody, where she was being held or whether she had been brought before a court.

RULAAC said the Commissioner reportedly explained that Nwosu had initially been released on the understanding that she would assist the Police in apprehending her brother.

The organisation said that while the Police had a legitimate responsibility to investigate serious criminal allegations, such an investigation should not result in a person’s liberty being made dependent on producing another individual.

RULAAC also expressed concern over the reported description of Nwosu’s decision to seek assistance from a human-rights organisation as a “betrayal.”

The organisation said citizens should be able to seek legal assistance, petition authorities or approach human-rights organisations where they believe their rights have been violated.

RULAAC stressed that it was not concluding that Nwosu had been coerced into changing her account, noting that it had no evidence to establish such a claim.

However, it said the circumstances made it necessary for Nwosu to be allowed to communicate freely and confidentially with her lawyer, family and RULAAC so that her current position could be independently established.

The organisation has called on the Anambra State Commissioner of Police to clarify whether Nwosu was rearrested after reporting to RRS Awkuzu, the specific offence involved, her present place of detention and whether she had been brought before a court.

It also asked the Police Command to clarify whether her lawyer and family had access to her, the circumstances surrounding her alleged denial of the ₦600,000 payment, whether the alleged payment had been independently investigated and the current status of her mobile telephone.

RULAAC further called on the Police to ensure that Nwosu would not suffer any reprisal for seeking assistance from the organisation or any other lawful body.

The organisation said that if Nwosu remained in police custody, she should be afforded applicable constitutional and statutory safeguards, including access to counsel and family, and either released or brought before a competent court in accordance with the law.

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

The organisation maintained that while the Police had a responsibility to investigate the allegations reportedly involving Nwosu’s brother, criminal responsibility should be determined individually and not transferred to a relative merely because the person being sought could not be found.

RULAAC’s Executive Director, Nwanguma, said the organisation’s immediate concern was to establish where Nwosu Chikamso Jennifer was, her current legal status and whether she was safe.