The Executive Director, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, has questioned the loud silence of the Nigeria over allegation of organ harvesting levelled against its operatives in Anambra State.
A whistleblower, Nnamdi Emeh, a 26-year-old NYSC member and IT consultant to the Anambra State Rapid Response Squad (RRS), two years ago made startling revelations against some police operatives, who are still walking freely today.
Emeh, who worked closely with the police squad, had alleged extrajudicial killings, organ harvesting, and extortion allegedly perpetrated by senior police officers in the state.
Against the order of a Federal High Court for his release, Emeh is still behind bars, while the accused officers walk free.
Reacting to the development, the Executive Director, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, queried why the police report has remained a secret two years after submission.
He insisted that if the investigation was indeed thorough and honest, the public deserves to know the truth.
According to him, silence in the matter by the police may be read as complicity.
Deputy Court Registrar complicit
Nwanguma, also regretted that the Deputy Court Registrar of the Federal High Court, Awka, has been alleged to be frustrating Emeh’s release.
“Sources say he has acted as a willing tool in the hands of the police, undermining the court’s own order and betraying the very institution he serves.
“This should not be swept under the carpet.
“The National Judicial Council (NJC) must be activated to investigate and discipline any judicial officer found to be collaborating with law enforcement to pervert justice.
“Judicial officers are not above the law; they are meant to uphold it,” he noted.
The RULAAC boss called on the National Judicial Commission, NJC, the civil society, the media, the legislature, and international partners to ensure accountability in the case.
He regretted that the Nigerian public has watched institutional rot spread unchecked because the right buttons weren’t pushed.
“While the police pretend to investigate, whistleblowers like Nnamdi Emeh are punished.
Emeh’s maltreatment
“Even after being declared wanted and arrested on vague allegations, he was held without trial for weeks and has yet to receive fair judicial treatment.
“The same officers he accused have neither been suspended nor charged.
“The investigation panel submitted its report long ago, yet the outcome is hidden from the public.
“Instead, the whistleblower is the one paying the price for daring to expose a death squad operating under state cover.
“This is not merely an internal disciplinary matter for the Nigerian Police.
“It is a test case for the Nigerian justice system, civil society, and democratic accountability. Release Nnamdi Emeh as ordered by the court.
“Prosecute the officers if they are found culpable. Publish the investigation report. And discipline any judicial officer aiding in obstructing justice.
“The Nigerian Police cannot continue to operate as a state within a state.
“The culture of extrajudicial executions, organ harvesting, illegal detention, and extortion, enabled by silence from above, must end.
“The police authorities know these things happen. They’ve received dozens of petitions.
“They simply benefit from the rot and therefore do nothing. But we will not be silent,” he concluded.