RULAAC noted that the case is defined by “two sharply conflicting and mutually exclusive accounts” of Chidi’s death.
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has raised concerns over what it described as “troubling circumstances” surrounding the death of 19-year-old Nnamdi Ifeanyi Chidi and the continued detention of Mr. Ifeanyi Okeke in Enugu State.
Okeke is reportedly being held by the Homicide Unit of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
At a press conference on Wednesday, RULAAC Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma said the organisation was speaking “concerning the troubling circumstances surrounding the death of Nnamdi Ifeanyi Chidi, a 19-year-old young man linked by maternal origin to Agunese Mmaku Community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, and the continued detention of Mr. Ifeanyi Okeke.”
The organisation emphasised that it was “not here to shield anyone from lawful investigation, nor to deny justice to any victim,” stressing that its intervention was “about truth, due process, investigative integrity, and the prevention of miscarriage of justice.”
Conflicting Accounts of Chidi’s Death
RULAAC noted that the case is defined by “two sharply conflicting and mutually exclusive accounts” of Chidi’s death.
One alleges he “died from injuries sustained during a violent attack” and that an autopsy established “a prima facie case of murder.” The other, reportedly supported by statements “publicly attributed to the deceased’s mother,” denies any assault and claims he “died from natural causes linked to a pre-existing medical condition.”
“These two narratives cannot both be true,” RULAAC said, adding that “despite this fundamental contradiction, a suspect remains in detention, and the public is left with unanswered questions.”
The group expressed “serious doubts surrounding the authenticity, transparency, and forensic credibility of the purported autopsy report said to underpin the murder allegation,” questioning the credentials of the pathologist, the procedure followed, and why the conclusion of homicide appeared to contradict statements attributed to the mother.
“In a homicide investigation, forensic evidence must be beyond suspicion, not a source of further controversy,” RULAAC said.
It also highlighted “contradictory witness evidence,” noting that key allegations were “directly contradicted by the deceased’s mother, who is a central and material witness,” and warned that the continued detention “raises serious constitutional and human rights concerns, including the presumption of innocence and the rights to personal liberty and fair hearing.”
RULAAC placed the case within a broader “context of intra-community conflict,” citing disputes in Agunese Mmaku Community.
The group noted that the traditional ruler, HRH Cyprian Maduabuchi Nevobasi, and his associates had previously submitted “malicious and frivolous petitions against community members,” raising concerns that law enforcement could be “weaponised to settle private disputes rather than to establish objective truth.”
The organisation’s concerns echo prior warnings from the community itself. In a letter to the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, dated January 3, 2022, the king reported threats to peace in Agunese Mmaku and urged authorities to act to prevent “actions likely to cause break down of peace and order.”
The letter noted that certain individuals had been “fomenting troubles in the community through their nocturnal and clandestine activities” and appealed for “pro-active intervention, to save Agunese from any impending danger.”
Concerns Over Detention and Forensic Evidence
On Ifeanyi Okeke’s detention, RULAAC said it was “gravely concerned” due to “unresolved contradictions about the cause of death; disputed forensic evidence; contradictory testimony from a key witness; and credible allegations of abuse of police processes,” adding that the situation raised constitutional questions under Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
The group called on the Inspector-General of Police to “review the basis for the continued detention of Ifeanyi Okeke,” order “an independent, transparent, and professionally credible review of the purported autopsy report,” and ensure all witness statements are assessed “objectively and without coercion.”
Meanwhile, legal practitioners have sought to independently verify the autopsy report.
For instance, Opus Dei Chambers wrote to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku/Ozalla, asking whether an autopsy was indeed conducted.
It also asked for the credentials of the pathologist, the existence of post-mortem records, photographs, and biological samples. The lawyers flagged “serious concerns regarding the authenticity and procedural integrity of the said document,” noting that it “was not issued on UNTH official letterhead, does not bear the practice licence number or verifiable contact details of the purported pathologist, and is unsupported by standard post-mortem documentation.”
“Justice is not served by prolonged detention amid unresolved contradictions, nor by investigations clouded by suspicion and competing narratives,” RULAAC said, adding that true justice requires “truth, transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.”
Background
The death of 19-year-old Nnamdi Chidi, maternally linked to Agunese Mmaku Community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, sparked sharply conflicting accounts from community members, law enforcement, and longstanding intra-community disputes.
These contradictions underpin RULAAC’s call for an independent and credible investigation.
Allegations of Homicide and Police Interference
Representations made by Onuseluogu Birinus Nevobasi link the events leading to Chidi’s death to an earlier police operation. He stated that Jonathan Azubike Onuoha led a team of officers from the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja, which arrested Emmanuel Okeke in connection with an ongoing investigation.
It is alleged that in the early hours of May 6, 2025, Ifeanyi Okeke, identified as Emmanuel Okeke’s younger brother, telephoned Jonathan Onuoha and issued threats, warning that violence would occur if Emmanuel was not released within 48 hours.
“The threat was allegedly carried out shortly after the call when a group reportedly attacked Jonathan Onuoha’s family home,” the account claims. The attackers allegedly damaged the gate, forcibly entered the premises, and assaulted Jonathan’s elder sister and her children, who were visiting at the time.
According to this narrative, Nnamdi Chidi later died on May 8, 2025 at Beacon Hospital, Awgu, as a result of injuries sustained during the attack. The matter was reportedly reported to the Awgu Police Division, after which the remains were taken into police custody and investigations commenced. The suspects allegedly fled the community.
The case file was then transferred to the Homicide Department of the Enugu State Police Command. An autopsy was reportedly conducted, and investigators established a prima facie case of murder.
The Force Headquarters’ Homicide Unit is said to have subsequently taken over the investigation, arrested the prime suspect, and recommended prosecution. Concerns have been raised that involvement by the IGP Monitoring Unit may have disrupted the homicide investigation.
Counter Account Denies Homicide Claims
An opposing account, presented by Vincent Okafor and supported by statements attributed to the IGP Monitoring Unit, denies that Nnamdi Chidi was murdered.
According to this version, the deceased’s mother, Augustina Ogbaja Onuoha, “stated that no one assaulted her son and that he died from natural causes linked to a pre-existing medical condition.”
The statement was reportedly recorded on video and made available to the IGP Monitoring Unit, which subsequently travelled from Abuja to Agunese Mmaku Community to conduct on-the-spot inquiries.
This account asserts that the IGP Monitoring Unit’s investigation concluded that “no homicide occurred and that allegations of murder were fabricated.”
The Unit maintained that its role was to ensure investigative integrity, lawful oversight, and compliance with due process, following petitions alleging that false murder accusations were being weaponised against innocent individuals.
The narrative further alleges that individuals behind the murder claim have a history of submitting malicious petitions against community members, including earlier allegations dating back to January 2022, which accused prominent members of Agunese Mmaku Community of sponsoring proscribed separatists or terrorist groups.
These petitions reportedly resulted in arrests, investigations, and prolonged disputes but were later challenged as false and motivated by personal, political, or financial grievances.