Allegations of institutional cover-up have again placed the Nigeria Police Force under intense scrutiny following claims by Mrs. Nnenna John-Anozie that senior police authorities are deliberately shielding officers allegedly linked to the abduction and disappearance of her husband, Mr. John Chukwuemeka Anozie.
Speaking in Abuja at the weekend, Mrs. John-Anozie accused the police of ignoring valid court orders and the findings of formal investigations, insisting that their actions point to the existence of an internal network operating above the law.
According to her, the continued protection of the officers involved has not only obstructed justice but has also eroded public confidence in an institution constitutionally mandated to protect lives and liberties.
“This is not just negligence; it is a betrayal of public trust,” she said, stressing that the police response to her case reflects a deliberate pattern of inaction rather than an administrative lapse.
She maintained that the police authorities are fully aware of the circumstances surrounding her husband’s disappearance but have chosen not to act, despite multiple legal directives.
Contrary to suggestions that the judiciary has stalled her pursuit of justice, Mrs. John-Anozie said the courts have ruled in her favour, but enforcement has been frustrated by the police’s refusal to comply with binding orders.
“The courts have done their part. It is the police that have refused to obey the law,” she said, warning that such disobedience undermines the authority of the judiciary and weakens the rule of law.
Her legal counsel, Mr. Vincent Adodo, has since approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, filing a contempt application against the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun.
The application seeks an order compelling the police to produce for prosecution officers allegedly connected to the case — Sunday Okpe, Anthony Obiozor Ikechukwu, Emeana Uzochukwu, John Eze, and an officer known as Oriole (also called Tboy) — as well as to release investigation records relating to the matter.
The contempt proceedings are scheduled for February 9, a date Mrs. John-Anozie described as critical not only for her family but also for accountability within law enforcement.
She further lamented that her attempts to seek redress through the National Human Rights Commission and the EndSARS Judicial Panel yielded no results, alleging that police officers repeatedly ignored summonses and orders from both bodies.
Despite the prolonged ordeal, Mrs. John-Anozie said she remains resolute in her pursuit of justice through lawful means, stressing that strict adherence to the rule of law is essential to guarantee accountability, protect citizens’ rights, and restore confidence in public institutions.
By Michael Olugbode, Abuja
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