Human rights lawyer seeks probe into woman’s torture, detention over debt to husband on Mothers’ Day

 

Maduako Igbokwe I Sunday, March 30, 2025

 

AWKA, Anambra – Human rights lawyer Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to thoroughly investigate the Monitoring Unit of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Headquarters in Abuja for the arrest, brutalization, torture, and detention of Mrs. Joy Smart Chinenye over an alleged unpaid debt to her husband.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Ejiofor emphasized that various statutory laws and judicial precedents have consistently affirmed that the Nigeria Police Force is not authorized to act as a debt recovery agency.

He expressed concern over the unlawful use of the police for debt recovery, even in defiance of clear directives from the IGP.

According to Ejiofor, Section 4 of the Nigeria Police Act explicitly outlines the duties of the NPF and makes no provision for debt recovery.

He further noted that superior courts have repeatedly ruled that the police cannot be used as a tool for resolving private financial disputes.

Ejiofor cited notable cases reinforcing his position, including Kure v. Commissioner of Police (2020) LPELR-49378 (SC) and Madaki & Anor v. GTB & Anor (2022) LPELR-57419 (CA).

Given the legal precedent, Ejiofor questioned how personnel from the Monitoring Unit of the NPF Headquarters could arrest, brutalize, torture, and detain Mrs. Joy Smart Chinenye based on a petition filed by her legally married husband, Mr. George Obinna Smart Unaegbu, over an alleged debt.

He expressed concern over the use of the police in such private financial matters, particularly in light of established legal principles.

Ejiofor also expressed dismay that, on a globally recognized day for celebrating motherhood, Mrs. Smart, a mother of three, was unjustly detained instead of celebrating Mothering Sunday like other women.

He outlined the details of the incident: On March 28, 2025, officers from the NPF Monitoring Unit, acting on a petition from her husband, arrested, brutalized, tortured, and detained her over an alleged unpaid debt. Her husband had allegedly given her funds for forex trading, which she was unable to repay. Instead of pursuing civil redress, her husband enlisted the police. Officers stormed their home in Lagos, arresting Mrs. Smart in front of their children and detaining her at the FCID Annex in Panti, Lagos. There, she was coerced into transferring ₦5 million to her husband’s account. When she could not pay an additional ₦10 million, she was forcibly transported to Abuja and held at the notorious Abattoir detention facility, a known holding area for hardened criminals.

In a shocking turn of events, while Mrs. Smart was in detention, her husband relocated their children and took possession of her personal belongings.

Ejiofor further stated that the Nigeria Police Service Commission (NPSC), under the distinguished Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (RTD), and the Inspector General of Police, have issued clear directives prohibiting officers from engaging in land dispute complaints, proxy arrests, and debt recovery, among other matters. Despite these directives, officers involved in this case blatantly ignored the guidelines, prioritizing personal financial interests over their constitutional duties.

Ejiofor called for the immediate and unconditional release of Mrs. Joy Smart Chinenye and urged the IGP to initiate a thorough investigation into this gross abuse of power.

He further called for the officers involved to be sanctioned to prevent future misconduct.

While legal action is being considered, Ejiofor emphasized the importance of bringing this case to public attention to prevent further erosion of the rule of law. “The Nigeria Police Force must not be unscrupulously used as a tool for settling private disputes, especially on a day meant to honor mothers,”

This is particularly egregious, given that the highest echelons of the Police Authority have sternly warned and prohibited personnel from engaging in such disgraceful acts that tarnish the institution’s reputation.”he said.