The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Commissioner of Police in Lagos over allegations of serious misconduct by officers at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti.
In a letter dated January 16, 2026, signed by RULAAC Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma, the group accuses the police of unlawfully criminalizing a civil investment dispute, facilitating illegal self-help enforcement, and detaining a woman as a surety in what amounts to hostage-taking tactics.
The petition centers on a contractual disagreement involving Homes 4U Ltd, where Mr. William Eze serves as a director.
According to RULAAC’s petition, the company entered an investment agreement in January 2025 with a private investor, receiving ₦20 million for a 24-month term and ₦12 million for a 3-month term. The firm reportedly paid ₦9 million in returns over nine months before defaulting due to business challenges.
RULAAC describes the issue as a purely civil matter suitable for court resolution, not criminal prosecution. However, the complainant allegedly used police influence to arrest and detain Mr. Eze for over four days without bail, charges, or a remand order.
While in custody, he was reportedly forced to sign an undertaking surrendering the company’s business premises (a salon) as a condition for release.
Subsequently, without any court order, a mobile police officer allegedly assisted the complainant in forcibly invading the premises, assaulting staff, confiscating property, and seizing control—actions RULAAC labels as extra-judicial enforcement and abuse of police authority.
Even more alarming, Mr. Eze’s wife—who had no involvement in the transaction and faces no criminal allegations—was arrested and remains detained.
She had co-signed a bail bond as a surety but is now held, reportedly to pressure her husband to appear at SCID Panti.
Officers allegedly informed Mr. Eze that his wife would stay detained indefinitely until he surrenders, a practice RULAAC condemns as coercion and hostage-taking, with no legal basis in Nigerian law.
The group also highlights alleged intimidation of Mr. Eze’s legal counsel by Investigating Police Officer Supol Edobor, including verbal abuse (calling the lawyer “mumu”) and threats to “deal with” him, creating fear that prevented physical attendance at the station. SP Owolabi is also named among officers handling the case.
RULAAC emphasizes that surety obligations are civil, not criminal. It added that sureties cannot be arrested or detained in place of a suspect.
“Using third parties as leverage violates constitutional rights (Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution), the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), and the Police Act 2020,” the petition states.
It added: “Police must not be used for private debt recovery or contract enforcement.”
The petition noted that aFundamental Rights Enforcement Suit (Suit No. FHC/L/CS/51/26) has been filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos to challenge these actions, and the complainant was advised to halt further steps pending its outcome—yet the alleged premises raid and wife’s detention reportedly continued.
RULAAC demands urgent clarification from the Lagos State Police Command on: the legal basis for detaining Mr. Eze’s wife, whether she faces any criminal charges, the authority for police involvement in enforcing the undertaking and seizing premises without court orders and steps to address the alleged threats and unprofessional conduct.
The organization calls for an immediate case review and the release of the detained woman if no lawful grounds exist for her custody.