FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CEHRAWS DEMANDS INDEPENDENT PROBE INTO POLICE RAID LINKED TO DEATH OF MADAM GRACE NWEKE
Aba, Nigeria | 13th February 2026
The Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police and the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) of the Nigeria Police Force over the alleged unlawful police raid of 21 January 2026 in Awka, Anambra State, which has been linked to the tragic death of Madam Grace Nwijeamaka Nweke.
According to a petition copied to CEHRAWS by the deceased’s family, the operation was allegedly led by Inspector Yomi Lawrence of Zone 13, Ukpo. The family further alleges that no fewer than five armed officers, dressed in plain clothes and without identifiable police uniforms, arrived in an unmarked vehicle, stormed the vicinity, and forcibly gained entry into the complainant’s apartment without prior disclosure of lawful authority.
The late Madam Grace Nweke, reportedly a hypertensive patient, is said to have suffered severe shock and emotional trauma following the incident. She passed away on 31 January 2026.
If established, these allegations raise grave constitutional and human rights concern.
Under Sections 33, 34, 35 and 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), every Nigerian is guaranteed the right to life, dignity, personal liberty, and privacy of home. These rights may only be derogated from strictly in accordance with due process. The Police Act 2020 further imposes binding duties of professionalism, accountability, and lawful identification during operations.
In a constitutional democracy, armed officers do not operate as faceless enforcers. Any forced entry into a citizen’s home must be backed by clear lawful authority and strict compliance with procedural safeguards.
CEHRAWS therefore demands:
An independent and transparent investigation outside the immediate Zone 13 command structure;
Immediate preservation of all operational logs, communication records, and deployment authorisations relating to the raid;
A Coroner’s Inquest into the cause of death of Madam Grace Nweke;
Temporary redeployment of any officers directly implicated, pending investigation;
Prosecution of any individual found culpable in accordance with the law.
Where state action is alleged to have contributed to a citizen’s death, the obligation to investigate becomes heightened under both domestic law and international human rights standards binding on Nigeria.
“This is not merely a private family tragedy,” CEHRAWS states. “It is a test of whether accountability within the Nigeria Police Force is real, functional, and impartial.”
CEHRAWS further notes that investigative journalism and anti-corruption advocacy are protected expressions under Section 39 of the Constitution and must never attract coercive or retaliatory law enforcement measures.
The organisation will pursue all lawful remedies — including engagement with the Police Service Commission, the National Human Rights Commission, and appropriate judicial proceedings — should this matter fail to receive urgent, transparent, and credible attention.
Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done.
Signed:
Okoye, Chuka Peter
Executive Director
cehraws@gmail.com | +234(0)808-035-1242
Facebook: Cehraws
