The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, seeking his urgent intervention in what it described as the unlawful arrest, detention, and persecution of the Chikadibia family in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area.
According to the petition, signed by the group’s Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, the incident occurred on April 12, 2025, when armed men identified as operatives of the Abia State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit stormed the residence of 63-year-old Mr. Chikadibia Sunday in Alaukwu Village.
The officers allegedly forced their way into the compound, vandalised property, and arrested Mr. Chikadibia alongside his three daughters — Glory, Ngozi, and Ogechi — without producing any warrant or explaining the reasons for their actions.
RULAAC stated that after the arrests, the police denied holding the family, cut them off from relatives and legal representation, and later arraigned them secretly on terrorism charges without evidence or access to their chosen counsel.
The organisation revealed that the victims remain in custody at the Aba Correctional Centre, while security operatives reportedly returned to demolish their family house, compounding their ordeal.
Tragically, the petition noted that Mrs. Chioma Chikadibia, the wife and mother of the detainees, sank into depression following the incident and died on August 8, 2025.
RULAAC further highlighted that Mr. Chikadibia’s health has seriously deteriorated while in detention. His youngest daughter, Ogechi, a final-year student at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, has been unable to continue her studies or take her examinations. The family has also lost its home, businesses, and means of livelihood, leaving them destitute.
The group condemned the situation, describing it as “a clear abuse of police powers, gross violation of constitutional rights, and a miscarriage of justice.” It urged Governor Otti, in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the state, to order a review of the case and ensure the immediate release of Mr. Chikadibia and his daughters.
It also demanded that the governor facilitate Ogechi’s return to school to complete her studies and sit for her pending examinations at IMT, Enugu. RULAAC further called for an independent probe into the raid, the unlawful arrests, denial of access to relatives and lawyers, the secret arraignment, and the demolition of the family home.
The petition asked the government to hold accountable all officers linked to the case, ensure justice is delivered, and provide compensation to the surviving members of the Chikadibia family for the death of Mrs. Chioma, the loss of property, unlawful detention, and the trauma endured.
RULAAC stressed that the case has already led to the loss of one life. “It must not claim more,” the organisation declared. “Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done — for the Chikadibia family, for Abia State, and for the rule of law.”
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