Court Steps In as Contempt Move Against IGP Egbetokun Faces Delay
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday intervened in contempt proceedings seeking the committal of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to Kuje Correctional Centre over alleged disobedience of a court order.
The action was initiated by Mrs. Nnena Anozie, wife of Mr. John Anozie, who was reportedly abducted from his residence in Lekki, Lagos, on June 15, 2017, by officers attached to the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Akwuzu, Anambra State.
At Tuesday’s hearing, counsel to Mrs. Anozie, Vincent Adodo, reviewed the history of the case, including two separate orders by the Anambra State High Court directing the police to either charge Mr. Anozie to court or release him unconditionally. Another order had reportedly directed the police to release his remains for burial following claims that he died in custody.
An internal investigation by the IGP X-Squad, launched after a 2018 petition by Mrs. Anozie, allegedly indicted four SARS officers — ASP Anthony Ikechukwu Obiozor, Sgt. Emeana Uzozhukwu, SP Sunday Okpe, John Eze and Oriole — over the incident. The report also indicated that substantial withdrawals were made from Mr. Anozie’s bank account days after his disappearance.
Although a legal opinion by the then Commissioner of Police in charge of Legal reportedly recommended dismissal and prosecution of the officers, no charges were filed. A fresh petition by Falana and Falana Chambers in 2023 led to the reopening of investigations by the IGP Monitoring Unit.
Following what she described as the continued refusal of police authorities to prosecute those implicated, Mrs. Anozie filed a Freedom of Information request seeking certified true copies of the investigation reports and legal opinion, as well as the transfer of the matter to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation. The request was not granted, prompting her to approach the Federal High Court in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/865/2025.
On September 24, 2025, Justice B.F.M. Nyako ruled in her favour, ordering the IGP to release the requested documents to Mrs. Anozie and the Attorney General of the Federation, and awarded ₦2 million in damages against the police.
However, after the judgment was reportedly served, Mrs. Anozie commenced contempt proceedings, including the filing of Form 48 and Form 49, seeking the committal of the IGP to prison for alleged non-compliance.
At the resumed hearing on February 17, 2026, counsel to the IGP, Stanley Nwodo, informed the court that a counter-affidavit had been filed in response to the committal application.
After hearing submissions, Justice Nyako indicated her willingness to intervene in the matter to achieve a substantive resolution and subsequently adjourned the contempt proceedings to April 23, 2026, for further hearing.
