Justice Stalled: Nigeria Police Fail to Investigate Officers Over Misconduct in Tunde Ayeni-Adaobi Alagwu Saga

Secrets Reporters

Months after submitting a formal petition over false accusation, unlawful arrest and detention, professional misconduct and tampering with exhibits, the Nigeria Police Force has failed to act on a complaint by Journalist Paul Utebor against officers of the Cybercrime Unit, Zone 7 Police Command, Wuse, Abuja.

The complaint arises against the backdrop of a long-running public dispute between businessman Tunde Ayeni and lawyer Adaobi Alagwu, which has spanned several years and involved paternity claims, legal proceedings and contested public assertions.

The disagreement first gained public attention in 2021 when Ms Alagwu filed claims asserting that Mr Ayeni had fathered her child and had failed to provide adequate support or formal recognition. Her legal filings sought confirmation of paternity, financial provision and enforcement of parental obligations. In February 2022, reports indicated that Ms Alagwu obtained a court order requiring Mr Ayeni to undergo a DNA test to establish paternity. The test was reportedly conducted under judicial supervision, although the outcome was not widely disclosed in public records.

The matter continued to attract media attention in late 2022 and throughout 2023. In February 2023, a journalist and an editor attached to TheNewsGuru at the time were arrested in connection with a publication relating to the dispute.

According to the petition, the journalist reported to the police station on 22 February 2023 alongside his editor, following an invitation letter signed by DCP Kabiru A. Shehu. The letter stated that the police were investigating allegations of murder, criminal conspiracy, defamation and threat to life. Upon arrival, they registered at the gate and deposited their devices, including a mobile telephone, power bank and digital recorder, before proceeding to the unit.

He stated that Inspector Adamu Sani was introduced as the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) and requested written statements. He declined, maintaining that he did not understand the basis of the allegations. According to the petition, officers later presented a document purportedly written by a lawyer on behalf of Ms Alagwu, together with a printed copy of an online publication alleged to be defamatory. He was accused of authoring the report and asked to accept responsibility, which he denied.

The journalist further alleged that discrepancies were observed between the printed document and another version displayed on a telephone by a senior officer, including differences in the attribution of authorship. He claimed that, despite requests for bail by representatives of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, he was detained and subsequently taken to court on a Friday when no judge was sitting. He remained in detention until the following Tuesday, when he and his editor were arraigned and granted bail.

According to the petition, officers later accompanied him to his residence with a search warrant and seized his laptop, charger and internet devices. He alleged that after no incriminating material was found on his laptop, printed chat conversations were treated as evidence. He also claimed that several personal belongings, including his mobile telephone, power bank, digital recorder and laptop charger, were not returned and remain unaccounted for.

He stated that after the case was eventually struck out due to the repeated absence of the police and the complainant in court, he formally petitioned the relevant police authorities, seeking investigation and redress. However, months after submitting the petition and making repeated follow-ups, he alleges that no disciplinary or investigative action has been taken and that he has received no official response.

The petitioner maintains that the continued silence and inaction undermine accountability within the force and has called for an independent review of the allegations set out in his complaint.

Months after submitting a formal petition alleging false accusation, wrongful arrest and detention, professional misconduct and tampering with exhibits, a journalist says the Nigeria Police Force has failed to take action on his complaint against officers of the Cybercrime Unit, Zone 7 Police Command, Wuse, Abuja.

Recall that a public dispute between businessman Tunde Ayeni and lawyer Adaobi Alagwu has unfolded over several years, involving paternity claims, legal actions and contested assertions in the public domain.

The disagreement emerged publicly in 2021, when Ms. Alagwu filed claims asserting that Mr. Ayeni had fathered her child and had not provided adequate support or formal recognition. Ms. Alagwu’s legal filings sought confirmation of paternity, financial provision and enforcement of related parental obligations.

In February 2022, media reports indicated that Ms. Alagwu obtained a court order requiring Mr. Ayeni to undergo a DNA test to establish paternity. Court documents and coverage from that period showed that the test was carried out under judicial supervision, although the outcome of the test was not universally disclosed in public records.

The matter continued to draw attention in late 2022 and throughout 2023, which led to the arrest of a journalist and an editor attached to TheNewsGuru at the time of the case in February 2023.

In the petition, the journalist detailed events beginning on 22 February 2023, when he reported to the police station alongside his editor following an invitation letter signed by DCP Kabiru A. Shehu. The letter indicated that the police were investigating allegations of murder, criminal conspiracy, defamation and threat to life. Upon arrival, they registered at the gate and deposited their devices, including a mobile phone, power bank and digital recorder, before proceeding to the unit.

He stated that Inspector Adamu Sani was introduced as the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) and requested written statements. He declined, maintaining that he did not understand the basis of the allegations. According to the petition, officers later presented a document purportedly written by a lawyer on behalf of one Adaobi Alagwu, alongside a printed copy of an online publication alleged to be defamatory. He was accused of authoring the report and asked to admit responsibility, which he denied.

The journalist alleged that discrepancies were observed between the printed document and another version displayed on a phone by a senior officer, including differences in the attribution of authorship. He further claimed that despite requests for bail by representatives of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), he was detained and later taken to court on a Friday when no judge was sitting. He remained in detention until the following Tuesday, when he and his editor were arraigned and granted bail.

According to the petition, officers later accompanied him to his residence with a search warrant and seized his laptop, charger and internet devices. He alleged that after no incriminating material was found on his laptop, printed chat conversations were treated as evidence. He also claimed that some of his personal belongings, including his mobile phone, power bank, digital recorder and laptop charger, were not returned and remain unaccounted for.

He stated that after the case was eventually struck out due to the repeated absence of the police and the complainant in court, he formally petitioned the relevant police authorities, seeking investigation and redress. However, months after submitting the petition and making repeated follow-ups, he alleges that no disciplinary or investigative action has been taken and that he has received no official response.

The petitioner maintains that the continued silence and inaction undermine accountability within the force and has called for an independent review of the allegations contained in his complaint.