“Awgu DPO Accused Of Revenge Detention” — Three Community Members Sue For N300m Over Seven-Day Ordeal
Three members of the Awgu community in Enugu State have filed an urgent fundamental rights enforcement application against CSP Benjamin Ego, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Awgu Police Station, alleging unlawful detention and harassment in what appears to be a retaliatory action over previous complaints against the officer.
The applicants – Offor Chika Raphael, Hon. Hipolite Okafor, and Ude Augustina – through their legal team led by Sir Nkemakolam Okoro S.C., filed the application on January 27, 2025, seeking multiple declarations and reliefs against the DPO, Inspector General of Police, and Commissioner of Police Enugu State.
The crisis began when Mr. Christopher Api and his wife, Mrs. Evelyn Api, were detained at Awgu Divisional Police Headquarters on January 22, 2025, for undisclosed reasons. When Ude Augustina visited the station to provide food for the detained couple, she was herself arrested upon identifying herself as a member of Voice Awgu Egbelilie Association – a group that had previously filed complaints against the DPO for alleged extortion and unlawful detentions.
The situation escalated when Offor Chika Raphael, another association member, attempted to secure Augustina’s release, only to be detained himself. Hon. Hipolite Okafor, the former President General of Ugwuleshi Autonomous Community, was subsequently arrested when he intervened on behalf of his detained colleagues.
According to the court documents, CSP Ego allegedly:
– Detained the applicants without formal charges or complaints
– Threatened to file terrorism charges against them
– Vowed to ensure their detention for at least one year
– Demanded written retractions of their previous petitions against him as a condition for release
– Refused multiple appeals for bail from community leaders and legal representatives
Legal Demands:
The applicants are seeking:
1. Immediate release on bail
2. N100 million in damages from the DPO for each applicant
3. N10 million in general damages from the Inspector General of Police and Commissioner of Police
4. A written public apology from the DPO
5. Court orders restraining further threats or arrests
6. Interest on any awarded judgment sum
The application cites violations of:
– Sections 33, 34(1), 35, 37, 39, 40, 42(1), and 46(1) of the Nigerian Constitution
– Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9(1), 10, and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Several community leaders attempted to resolve the situation, including:
– Hon. Celestine Okolie, immediate past PG of Ugwuleshi Autonomous Community
– Obidiegu Offor, an INEC staff
– The Youth chairman from Umuhu
– Mr. Fabian Okolie
– Engr. Polycarp Nwafor, current PG of Umuhu Ezike kingdom
The court filings note particular urgency regarding the third applicant, Ude Augustina, who is reported to be hypertensive, raising additional health concerns about her continued detention.
The applicants have filed for expedited hearing through an ex parte motion, citing the urgency of the situation and potential threats to their lives and liberty. The case, which highlights tensions between law enforcement and community oversight, awaits court consideration.
The matter has been filed under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, with service addresses listed for all parties in Enugu State and Abuja.
