SaharaReporters had reported that the monarch was invited to the police headquarters on May 4, 2024 over a clash between some policemen reported to be on illegal duty with some land grabbers and some gunmen at the community's farm settlement.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has queried the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Kanayo Uzuegbu, over the illegal detention of the traditional ruler of Igga Kingdom in Uzo-Uwani Council Area of the State, Igwe Herbert Ukuta, for over a month without trial for any offence.
SaharaReporters had reported that the monarch was invited to the police headquarters on May 4, 2024 over a clash between some policemen reported to be on illegal duty with some land grabbers and some gunmen at the community's farm settlement.
During the clash, which took place on May 3, two policemen, a local security agent and one other person were killed.
Following the killings, the police and Nigerian Army mobilised and launched a reprisal and burnt no fewer than 23 residential buildings, over 30 motorcycles, and about 15 vehicles while belongings worth millions of naira were allegedly looted by the security personnel.
The traditional ruler was subsequently detained after he honoured the invitation on the purported order of the state governor, Mr Peter Mbah.
Since May 4, the traditional ruler has been in the custody of the Police at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Enugu.
SaharaReporters, however, reported on June 3, that CP Uzuegbu-led Enugu State Command reportedly demanded a "refund of N1.5million used to feed" the detained traditional ruler before he could be released after the governor had directed his release.
However, a family member told SaharaReporters that Governor Mbah had directed the police to release the monarch for over a week now but the police refused.
Following the development, the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has queried the CP over the continued detention of the monarch.
A letter of query SaharaReporters obtained on Wednesday was dated May 30, 2024 with Ref No: CB:7000/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.720/
Titled: "RE: A Petition Against A Gross Abuse Of Police Powers By The Commissioner Of Police, Enugu...," was addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command.
The letter partly read: "Attached herewith is copy of letter dated 22nd May 2024 received from the House of Laws on the above underlined subject.
"I respectfully convey the directive of the Inspector- General of Police that you furnish comment (on the illegal detention of Igwe Herbert Ukuta for more than one month without trial).
"Accept the assurances of the esteemed regards of the Inspector-General of Police, please," the partly read.
It has been reported that police personnel at the State Criminal Investigation Department told the family of the monarch they must pay N1.5 million the police claimed to have spent on his upkeep since his detention.
It was learnt that Mbah told his (monarch’s) brother, Chief Maxi Ukuta, an elder statesman on May 31, that he had ordered the immediate release of Igwe Ukuta from police detention three weeks after his arrest.
"However, when family members went to police headquarters in Enugu on June 1, they were asked to pay N1.5 million to cover the expenses they incurred while the traditional ruler was in detention," a family source told SaharaReporters.
"It is now over a week since the order was given, and Igwe Ukuta is still being detained."
When SaharaReporters reached out to Chief Maxi Ukuta, he confirmed that Governor Mbah told him last week that he had ordered the release of his brother.
"Since then, we have been going to the police to secure his release but to no avail," he said.
He, however, didn't want to comment on the N1.5 million reportedly demanded by the police as refund for the money spent to feed his brother in three weeks.
The Command's spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe has remained silent to SaharaReporters' inquiries on the illegal detention of the monarch.