AFTER EXPOSING Top Policemen, See How Enugu- based Activist Was Reportedly Brutalized Before He Was Tagged IPOB Member
The Enugu State Police Command has recently charged and remanded anti- corruption activist Mr. Charles Arukwe at the Enugu Correctional Centre on alleged charges of terrorism, conspiracy, and membership in an unlawful group. This action comes amid accusations that the police are attempting to silence Arukwe due to his efforts to expose corruption within the force.
According to reports on August 30, Arukwe’ s latest arrest occurred shortly after his release from Enugu Custodial Centre in March. He had been granted bail by the State High Court on charges related to the forgery of a motorcycle sale agreement, charges his supporters claim were fabricated.
On the evening of August 29, over 10 officers from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) reportedly stormed his home in the Awgu local government area and arrested him once again. His wife, who is pregnant and a lawyer, confirmed the arrest, expressing concern over the repeated harassment of her husband.
By Friday, August 30, Arukwe was arraigned before His Worship S. O. Chukwuani of the Enugu North Magisterial District. He faced three charges, including accusations of being involved with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The charges, marked under MEN/579c/2024, also implicated a 23- year- old man named Kelechi Okolie. The police alleged that the two were part of a WhatsApp group called ” Awguegbe Leli, ” which they claimed was used to solicit arms for IPOB/ESN.
The Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, was listed as the complainant in the case, while Arukwe and Okolie were the first and second defendants, respectively.
Reports revealed that these charges followed a petition filed against the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Awgu, CSP Benjamin Egu, for allegedly torturing and unlawfully arresting Arukwe earlier in the year. This petition was addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police at the Enugu Annex through Nnenna Lilian Okolo & Associates, a legal firm representing Arukwe.
Dated August 27, the petition was signed by Chukwunonso Daniel Ogbe, Esq. , and titled ” Petition Against the Brutal, Indiscriminate, and Unlawful Arrest of Charles Ekenedilichukwu Arukwe on the 14th of March, 2024, by CSP Benjamin Egu, The DPO Awgu Divisional Headquarters. ” In this document, Arukwe’ s legal team detailed the excessive force used during his earlier arrest, including physical abuse that left him with multiple injuries.
They claimed the police officers beat him severely, tore his clothes, broke his eyeglasses, and destroyed two of his mobile phones. Additionally, the officers allegedly stole a 32- gigabyte SD card from one of the damaged phones, presumably to prevent Arukwe from accessing crucial information related to his anti- corruption investigations.
The petition further asserted that Arukwe’ s continued persecution is a direct result of his activism, particularly his vocal opposition to the corruption and extortion practices at the Awgu Police Divisional Headquarters. His legal team noted that Arukwe had filed a previous complaint against key officers at the Awgu station, addressed to the Enugu State Commissioner of Police.
Despite this petition, submitted on October 6, 2023, no action had been taken by the authorities, prompting concerns over the impunity of police officers in the area.
Arukwe’ s lawyers concluded the petition by urging law enforcement to hold the officers accountable for their actions. They argued that the officers had positioned themselves above the law and should be punished not only for their brutality but also for theft, despite being officers tasked with upholding the law.
The legal team stressed that making an example of these officers would serve as a deterrent to others who might consider engaging in similar conduct in the future.
This case has drawn significant attention to the challenges faced by human rights activists in Nigeria, particularly those who confront corruption within law enforcement agencies. As Arukwe’ s legal battle continues, many are watching closely to see if justice will prevail or if the systemic issues within the police force will remain unchecked.
