According to RULAAC, the PPRO later told the family that he had been working on two reports at the same time and had mixed up details from another case.
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has raised alarm over what it described as grave legal, ethical and human rights violations.
The concerns relate to the arrest, detention and reported death of Onuoha Johnbosco in the custody of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command, popularly known as Tiger Base, Owerri.
In a media statement issued by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC said the sudden circulation on social media of a purported “confessional interview” allegedly made by Johnbosco while in police custody “raises disturbing questions about torture, coercion and extrajudicial practices.”
According to the organisation, Johnbosco, a printer, was arrested at his shop in a busy market by police operatives who posed as customers.
“He was identified by name and taken away in full public view, without resistance,” Nwanguma said.
Family members, alerted by neighbouring traders, reportedly began searching for him immediately. They moved from the Ahiazu Mbaise Police Division to Tiger Base and later to the Imo State Police Headquarters in Owerri.
“At every point, the police denied that he was in their custody,” Nwanguma stated, adding that the family was never formally informed of the arrest or detention, contrary to constitutional and statutory safeguards.
RULAAC said contradictions soon emerged in official police narratives. While the circulated video suggested that arms and ammunition were recovered from Johnbosco’s shop, he was never publicly paraded, which the group noted is routine police practice in cases involving serious offences.
“There was also no lawyer or independent person present during the recording of the so-called confession, making it constitutionally defective and legally inadmissible,” Nwanguma said.
The family only learned of Johnbosco’s whereabouts after a press statement by the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), who claimed that he had been arrested after a gun battle with police, during which he allegedly sustained gunshot injuries. Johnbosco’s sister, Collete, questioned this account.
“How does someone arrested openly in a market suddenly become someone who engaged the police in a gun battle?” she reportedly asked.
According to RULAAC, the PPRO later told the family that he had been working on two reports at the same time and had mixed up details from another case.
“Rather than clarify matters, this explanation points to recklessness and possible falsification of official records in a matter involving life and death,” Nwanguma said.
Further contradictions followed, with the Commander of Tiger Base reportedly claiming that Johnbosco, already said to have been wounded, was shot again while attempting to escape by scaling the Tiger Base fence.
RULAAC described this claim as “implausible,” citing the heavily fortified nature of the facility.
The police allegedly showed the confession video to Johnbosco’s father and sister but did not allow them to see or speak with him.
To date, RULAAC said, the police have not disclosed what happened to his body.
“This raises serious concerns of enforced disappearance, unlawful killing and obstruction of justice,” Nwanguma said.
RULAAC linked the case to what it described as a recurring pattern of deaths at Tiger Base, where detainees are routinely said to have died during escape attempts, gun battles or from sudden illness.
The organisation cited the case of Japheth Njoku, whose family and lawyers were denied access while police allegedly continued to extort money, and whose body was never produced for a court-ordered autopsy.
It also recalled the case of Thaddeus Ikechukwu Ojokoh, who was publicly paraded for an attack allegedly carried out while he was already in custody, and later quietly released after public pressure.
“Even if Johnbosco were guilty of any offence, the law is clear,” Nwanguma said.
“He should have been charged to court. No law authorises the police to torture or execute suspects. The police cannot fight crime by committing crime.”
RULAAC called for an independent and transparent investigation into Tiger Base, full disclosure of Johnbosco’s fate, and accountability for all officers involved.
“Justice delayed or denied only deepens public mistrust and perpetuates the cycle of violence,” Nwanguma warned.