Two groups, the Anambra State Police Stakeholders Partnership Forum and the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, are calling for transparency surrounding the death of Uchenna Okafor in police custody in December 2022.
Okafor’s death was made public by a social justice campaigner on Twitter.
The police initially claimed the arrest was for “armed robbery,” but the tweep alleged Okafor was arrested for “two fighting” and the parents were asked to pay N150,000 to bail him.
The police promised an autopsy to determine the cause of death but 18 days later, no update has been given.
The groups suspect Okafor was tortured to death and are calling for a transparent and credible autopsy.
They are also accusing the Anambra police of violating the new Police Act 2020, which prohibits torture and requires arrested individuals to be released within 24 hours unless it involves a capital offence.
