The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to immediately release all investigation files and reports related to the 2017 abduction and disappearance of Lagos businessman, Mr. John Chukwuemeka Anozie, while directing the prosecution of several police officers implicated in the case.
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The court also awarded ₦2 million in damages to his wife, Mrs. Nnenna Anozie, for what it described as gross violations of her constitutional and statutory rights, including the right to information under the Freedom of Information Act.
Justice B.F.M. Nyako delivered the judgment on September 24, 2025, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/865/2025, granting an order of mandamus compelling the IGP to furnish the applicant with certified copies of all investigative documents related to her husband’s abduction.
The court held that Mrs. Anozie, a Nigerian citizen resident in Lagos, was entitled to the following documents:
The X-Squad case file of 2017, detailing the investigation where Mr. Anozie was last seen at the Nigeria Police Legal Department, Abuja.
A petition dated November 23, 2023, submitted by Falana & Falana Chambers, which prompted a new round of investigation.
A legal opinion dated July 11, 2023, issued by police lawyer Mr. Tuesday Emienbo, recommending prosecution of identified officers.
Justice Nyako ordered that the documents be provided to Mrs. Anozie within seven days and that the case file be transmitted to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) for immediate prosecution of all indicted officers.
The named officers include ASP Anthony Obiozor Ikechukwu (retired), SP Sunday Okpe, Sgt. Uzochukwu Emeana, John Eze, and one “T-boy”, all alleged to have been involved in the unlawful abduction.
Mr. Tuesday Emienbo, then O/C Legal at Force Headquarters, was also directed to be investigated for issuing what the court described as a “shielding legal opinion” that obstructed justice.
Justice Nyako condemned the police’s handling of the matter as “a clear example of institutional impunity,” stating that the refusal to release files or act on existing evidence amounted to “a double disappearance first of the man, and then of accountability.”
Evidence before the court revealed that on June 17, 2017, Mr. Anozie was abducted from his Lekki residence by operatives of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) from Awkuzu, Anambra State. The officers allegedly seized two SUVs, briefcases containing foreign and local currencies, passports belonging to his wife and children, ATM cards, and other valuables.
Despite a subsisting Anambra State High Court order directing the police to either release him or charge him to court, he was never produced. The police later claimed he had died during interrogation, but the court noted that there was no evidence of his death, autopsy, or body release to the family.
A subsequent High Court order for the release of the alleged corpse was also ignored.
Between 2019 and 2023, Mrs. Anozie and her legal representatives sent multiple petitions to the Inspector-General of Police, demanding justice and disclosure of investigation reports.
Investigations conducted by the police reportedly indicted the aforementioned officers, and Emienbo’s 2019 legal opinion had recommended prosecution. However, no further action was taken.
The matter also came before the #EndSARS Judicial Panel of Inquiry (2020–2022), which issued a warrant for the appearance of the then Commissioner of Police (Legal), Mr. Ochogwu Ogbeh, and ordered the production of the case file. The order was disobeyed.
In 2023, Falana & Falana Chambers petitioned the IGP again to reopen the investigation, but the request was ignored. Following the IGP’s refusal to release the requested documents under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), Mrs. Anozie, through her lawyer Vincent Adodo, filed the present suit.
Despite being duly served with court processes and hearing notices, the police failed to enter appearance or file any defence.
The court held that the IGP’s conduct amounted to an unlawful suppression of information and a violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights.
Justice Nyako ordered the IGP to:
Provide certified copies of all reports, files, and legal opinions on the abduction and disappearance of Mr. Anozie within seven days.
Transmit the entire case file to the Attorney-General of the Federation for prosecution of all indicted officers.
Pay ₦2 million in general damages to the applicant for sustained trauma, unlawful withholding of information, and disregard of constitutional obligations.
Mr. John Chukwuemeka AnozieIn addition, a separate judgment record noted an award of ₦2 million under the FOI Act for failure to honour information requests, further underscoring the IGP’s liability.
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