Family Protests ‘Unlawful Arrest, Detention’ of their Father by Anambra Security Operatives

By Praise Chinecherem

Family of Chief Onyemazu Ngini of Isuanaocha community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra state has raised the alarm over what it described as unlawful arrest and detention of their father by the Agunechemba security outfit in the state.

The family said their father, Youth Leader of the community, who was last seen on Thursday after he was lured through a phone call had been in detention since then with no substantial reason for his arrest.

Speaking to newsmen, son to the detainee, Chisom expressed worry over the lingering detention of the father, alleging plans to poison him in the facility.

He said, “On Thursday last week, he told us he received a call and he was going to answer him. Anytime he’s leaving the house, he usually tells us where he’s going. That has been his culture.

“That was around 11am. At about 4pm, the next thing we heard was that he was detained. The following day, we were told he was accused of land grabbing.

“They said a woman accused him of taking her land from her. I’m sure my father can’t collect land from anyone, instead he will even give his own to people.

“They even linked him with kidnapping and involvement with unknown gunmen.
As the son, I don’t know about those allegations.”

The son further said they got to know about the series of allegations from their lawyer who they engaged his services.

“It was the lawyer we sent that has been furnishing us with all these information, including the allegations in the petition.

“My father was a mechanic before he resigned to become the youth leader of the community. He’s been in detention for a week now.

“I’m suspecting certain persons in the community to be behind the detention. We also heard that they are seeking approval from Abuja to move him there where they plan poisoning him,” he said.

On his part, the wife, Caroline dismissed the allegations against her husband as false, calling for his immediate release.

She however said the arrest might not be unconnected to disagreement he had with leadership of the community, which led to his (husband) removal from office.

“I knew my husband since 1994 and I know what he can do. All the allegations against him are false. I want my husband to be released.

Lawyer to the family, Mike Ikegbunam demanded thorough investigation into the activities of the security apparatus.

Providing details about the incident, Ikegbunam said, “On the evening of March 13, 2025, Chief Onyemazu Ngini received a call from a number, which he later discovered was from Ken Emeakayi of Agunechemba. Emeakayi requested that Chief Onyemazu Ngini come to the Agunechemba office to discuss how to address the issue of unknown gunmen in Isuaniocha.

“Chief Onyemazu Ngini, familiar with prior communications from the Igwe of Isuaniocha and the President General about these gunmen, gladly accepted the invitation. However, upon arrival at the Agunechemba office, only Chief Onyemazu Ngini was allowed in to meet Emeakayi.

“His companions, Chief Damian Nnaemene and the Onowu of Isuaniocha, were left waiting for hours before being told that Chief Onyemazu Ngini had been detained on trumped-up charges related to a land dispute with the woman who had filed the petition.

“The following day, both the Igwe of Isuaniocha and the President General sent two lawyers to the Agunechemba office to inquire about the detention, but they were met with delays. When they were eventually allowed to meet with Emeakayi, the issue shifted from land theft to kidnapping, and they were denied access to their client.

“Different individuals who contacted Emeakayi were told conflicting stories: one was told that the detention was linked to a stockpile of arms, while another was told it was related to a murder case.”

The legal team raised several critical questions:

How did Ken Emeakayi assume the role of both investigator and judge, deeming Chief Onyemazu Ngini a criminal without a trial? When did the Agunechemba office become a detention facility? Is Ken Emeakayi above the law for detaining Onyemazu Ngini without turning him over to the police for proper investigation?

Is it legal for Ken Emeakayi to keep Chief Onyemazu Ngini in detention for a week without proper legal procedures? Does this detention violate Chief Onyemazu Ngini’s fundamental human rights? Does keeping Onyemazu Ngini incommunicado constitute a form of systematic torture? Is Ken Emeakayi acting under external influence in his handling of this case?

Does this detention without trial amount to an abuse of power by Ken Emeakayi?
Is Governor Soludo aware of these actions being perpetrated by Ken Emeakayi? Is Ken Emeakayi attempting to satisfy a financial incentive from a family in Isuaniocha, with the promise of further payment if he succeeds in removing Chief Onyemazu Ngini?
Was it a mistake for Governor Soludo to appoint Ken Emeakayi as a special adviser on security, given his alleged violent tendencies during Mbadinuju’s regime?

The crisis in Isuaniocha, according to Onyegbunam, began in 2018, when the then President General, Tony Onyeagolu, was removed from office by both the Anambra State High Court and the state government for his uncontrollable behavior. Onyegbunam called for an investigation into the activities of the police officers stationed at the “White House” at Ifite Isuaniocha Junction, who have been accused of extorting money from road users and protecting unknown gunmen.

Appreciating Soludo for his hard work, the lawyer urged him to ensure justice was served and to address the situation in Isuaniocha, just as he urged government to investigate the actions of Ken Emeakayi and the involvement of Tony Onyeagolu in the activities.

When contacted, Chairman of Agunechemba, Chief Ken Emeakayi said he would not react to unauthenticated document.

“The document available to me was not signed by any person. Anybody can write anything and post on social media,” he added.