Family Accuses Police of Two-Year Illegal Detention of Anambra Bricklayer
The family of 26-year-old bricklayer Ndudi Valentine Mmadudilim from Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State has raised a serious alarm over what they describe as the unlawful arrest, prolonged detention, and possible disappearance of their son. Nearly two years after he was allegedly taken into police custody without trial, the distraught Mmadudilim kindred accuses security operatives and officials within the Nigeria Police Force of withholding information about his whereabouts, demanding that authorities produce him immediately, dead or alive.
Anguish and Allegations of Unlawful Arrest
Speaking on behalf of the family, Amaka Usubor, a 32-year-old nurse and elder sister to the detainee, revealed that the family has lived in anguish since November 2023, when her brother was first arrested. She stated, "We have been in pain and have lost all happiness for the past two years since the unlawful arrest and detention of our brother, Ndudi Valentine Mmadudilim." According to her, Mmadudilim was initially arrested in 2023 by operatives of the Anambra Vigilante Service, allegedly led by Jude Ononuju, the chairman of the Ozubulu branch of the group.
He was detained for three days at a vigilante facility before being transferred to Ugwu-Olie Police Station and later arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court GD2 in Ozubulu. He faced charges of cultism and unlawful possession of a locally made double-barrel pistol in Suit No: MOZ/7C/2024, prosecuted by Inspector Ikemefuna Nnamani.
Court Proceedings and Bail Grant
However, the family reported that court proceedings exposed inconsistencies in the prosecution's case. A Certified True Copy of the proceedings showed that the presiding magistrate, O.I. Nworah, granted bail after discovering that the alleged confessional statement presented by police was unsigned and unverified. Additionally, the vigilante operative who made the arrest did not testify that Mmadudilim was found with any firearm, contradicting earlier police claims.
Based on these findings, bail was granted on August 15, 2024, in the sum of ₦500,000 with two sureties, under Section 131(1) of the Anambra State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2022. The court also ordered that the case file be forwarded to the Attorney-General's office for further review.
Rearrest and Continued Detention
In a dramatic turn of events, Usubor alleged that while complying with court procedures in April 2024, her brother was rearrested at the court premises by operatives of the Police Rapid Response Squad (RRS). He was taken back to Ugwu-Olie Police Station and later transferred to the RRS facility in Ukwulu, where he has allegedly remained in detention without being formally charged. She identified an Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Ndukwe, as handling the case.
Usubor further claimed that when she sought updates, the officer initially denied her brother was in custody. The Divisional Police Officer at Ugwu-Olie later confirmed Mmadudilim was held by the RRS and advised the family to inquire further. Subsequent visits to the RRS office were unsuccessful, with Usubor accusing the IPO of denying access, verbally abusing her, and introducing a fresh allegation linking him to a murder case without producing any complainant or victim's relative.
Allegations of Personal Dispute and Evidence Issues
Usubor suggested the case may stem from a personal dispute involving a woman, alleging tensions between her brother and Jude Ononuju arose from rivalry over a female companion. She claimed attempts by village elders to resolve the matter failed and that Ononuju had boasted Mmadudilim would die in detention due to his police connections. Ononuju could not be reached for comment at the time of reporting.
Regarding the murder allegation, Usubor stated the officer showed what she described as an "AI-generated photograph" as evidence. "When I challenged the authenticity of the image, he became aggressive and sent me out," she alleged, raising further concerns about the integrity of the case.
Police Response and Ongoing Uncertainty
When contacted, the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Orutugu Ikioye, reportedly said he was not in office when the case began and referred inquiries to the RRS Commander, Orode Chidubem Matthew. The RRS commander initially denied that anyone named Valentine was in their custody but later took journalists and Amaka Usubor to Awka to meet a Deputy Commissioner of Police. After a private meeting lasting about 30 minutes, he returned to say the officer would not speak to the press.
As of the latest reports, the whereabouts of Ndudi Valentine Mmadudilim remain unknown, with no official detention record made public and no fresh charges confirmed. This case highlights significant concerns about due process, prolonged detention without trial, and accountability within law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.
For the Mmadudilim family, the demand remains simple and urgent: "Show us our brother — dead or alive." The situation underscores ongoing issues with police conduct and judicial oversight in Anambra State, calling for immediate action to address these allegations and ensure justice is served.
