It has been eight years since Chijioke Iloanya died mysteriously in the custody of a defunct SARS unit in Awkuzu, Anambra. There are many more similar stories from the infamous SARS branch. Families are crying for justice and closure but the arm of the law has thus far seem not long enough to apprehend the oppressors.

As the Anambra Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate cases of police brutality begins sitting, some of the bereaved are rekindling their hopes that justice would be served.

The petitions

Abdul Mahmud, a human right lawyer and senior counsel with the Public Interest Lawyers League (PILL), is leading the push for justice on behalf of the family of Chijioke Iloanya and three others.

Mr. Mahmud has petitioned the Anambra State Judicial Commission of Inquiry on SARS, which was disbanded on October 11 amidst worldwide outrage.

PILL has also filed briefs for the families of Chijioke Iloanya, 20, Obinna Adimachukwu, 28, Ekene Akabike, 24 and Okwuchukwu Onyemelue, 23, before the panel.

In the petitions sighted by Peoples Gazette, the petitioners are seeking three grounds of remedies; prosecution of John Nwafor and other officers involved, apology from the Nigeria Police Force and due compensation for the families. 

The victims

Several victims have been reportedly murdered while in the custody of the notorious Awkuzu SARS branch led by Mr. Nwafor, a retired police superintendent.

Chijioke Iloanya, 20, left home for a neighbouring Ajali community on November 29, 2012 to attend the child dedication ceremony of a friend, according to his father Emmanuel Iloanya. He was arrested for a scuffle at the event and eventually landed in SARS Awkuzu. That was his end. 

Mr. Nwafor reportedly told his father, “I have killed your son and there’s nothing you can do.” 

In July, 2020 after Chijioke’s sister deployed local and international media campaign against the injustice, Mr. Nwafor tweeted a terse response where he said Chijioke was an armed robber. No further explanation was made.

Another victim, Obinna Adimachukwu, 28 was tortured to death after he was lumped with condemned criminals in a SARS Awkuzu cell. 

Obinna, a trader at Main Market Onitsha was raided on the afternoon of Wednesday March 19, 2014 at Ezenwata Park while waiting for delivery of some imported goods. Some dollar bills found on him attracted the ire of the SARS officer.

Emma Adimachukwu, his father said he was harrassed, duped and came down with stroke while trying to save his son. He lives with the trauma till date. 

D’Lawrence Akabike narrated how his brother Ekene Akabike was arrested in his off campus hostel at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and summarily executed on trumped up allegations. He said John Nwafor threatened to “finish” all the family if they dared pressed further as “nobody questions the operations of Awkuzu SARS.”

Okwuchukwu Onyemelue’s story is not different, he was also murdered in cold blood at Awkuzu SARS coven. In her testimony, Onyinye Onyemelue his sister said Okwuchukwu and his sister, Ifeoma were arrested in the morning of June 24, 2014 while driving out of their father’s business premises at Woliwo Layout, Onitsha. He was later paraded with gun as an armed robber. Again, Mr. Nwafor told their father that he killed his son and “you can’t do anything.”

The panther

Mr. Nwafor was until recently, a security adviser to Governor Willie Obiano. Several accounts painted him as a ruthless panther always baying for blood. Several victims who made it out of Awkuzu SARS have continued to paint horrific details their encounter with officers there.

Mr. Nwafor has fled Anambra following his dismissal by Governor Willie Obiano last month. A spokesman for the police in Anambra did not immediately return a request seeking comments about whether or not a manhunt was underway for the retired officer.