A family in Enugu State has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over alleged attempts by fleeing suspects in an ongoing murder case to intimidate witnesses and manipulate police processes.
In the petition dated May 27, 2026, the family claimed that individuals linked to the killing of 56-year-old Augustine Ekwueme are now using counter-complaints to frustrate the murder prosecution by accusing key witnesses of arson and malicious damage.
The case, already before an Enugu Magistrate Court, involves Ifeanyi Ekwueme (38) and Christian Ekwueme (41), who were arraigned on March 13, 2026, for conspiracy and murder.
Two other suspects, identified as Dennis Ekwueme and Samuel Onyedikachi Ekwueme, are reportedly still at large.
The petition alleges that instead of focusing on the murder trial, the suspects and their associates have filed fresh petitions targeting members of the victim’s family and legal representatives, in what they describe as a strategy to derail the case.
Related News:
Police Arrest Nine Suspects Over Drug Trafficking, Hooliganism in Yobe
Nigeria Police rob those they should protect – Kemi Badenoch
Nigeria Police Arrest Woman, Daughter Over International Romance Scam Worth ₦18m
The family further accused officers from the Nigeria Police Force Zone 13 Command, Ukpo, Anambra State, of acting on the counter-complaints by arresting individuals connected to the prosecution, including witnesses in the murder case.
They also alleged that during police operations, one of the individuals assisting officers was later identified as a suspect wanted in connection with the same murder investigation, raising concerns over possible procedural breaches.
In a further claim, the family said their lawyer was detained after visiting the police command to secure bail for detained relatives, despite presenting relevant court documents linked to the ongoing murder trial in Enugu State.
The petitioners are now calling on the Inspector-General of Police, the Police Service Commission, and other authorities to urgently intervene, ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspects, and protect witnesses involved in the case.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Nigeria Police Force Zone 13 Command were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
About the Author
