The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Anambra State Commissioner of Police over the alleged unlawful arrest and four-day detention of a woman by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, formerly known as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

RULAAC, in a letter signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, dated September 5, alleged that Ms. Nwosu Chikamso Jennifer was arrested on August 31, 2026, not over an offence linked to her but in connection with the police search for her brother, who is reportedly wanted over an alleged murder case.

According to the organisation, Nwosu alleged that she was detained for four days and was expected to produce her brother despite not being accused of complicity in the alleged offence.

The organisation said Nwosu further alleged that she was released on September 3 after ₦600,000 was paid, with the payment allegedly described as being for “administrative bail.”

RULAAC said no receipt or acknowledgement was reportedly issued for the payment.

The complainant also alleged that her mobile phone was seized by the police and retained without a seizure form or property receipt.

The organisation identified the investigating officer in the matter as Mr Odoh Kingsley of RRS Awkuzu.

RULAAC said Nwosu had been directed to report again on Monday, September 7, 2026, but was apprehensive that she could face renewed detention or further demands for money.

The rights group therefore called on the Commissioner of Police to urgently intervene and verify the allegations before Nwosu’s scheduled appearance at the police facility.

RULAAC described the alleged arrest and detention of Nwosu over her brother’s alleged offence as a possible case of “arrest by proxy” or “arrest in lieu.”

The organisation argued that arresting a person merely to compel the surrender of a relative raises serious constitutional and human-rights concerns.

“If the claims are substantially correct, the actions complained of would raise grave legal and human-rights concerns,” the organisation said.

“Arresting and detaining a person merely to compel the surrender of a relative amounts to arrest by proxy or arrest in lieu, a practice expressly prohibited by Nigerian law.”

RULAAC also raised concerns about the alleged four-day detention, saying that holding a person beyond the constitutionally permissible period without taking the individual before a court could violate legal safeguards on arrest and detention.

It further described the alleged ₦600,000 payment as “particularly disturbing,” stressing that police bail is free.

The organisation said the allegations were particularly concerning because they involved the Awkuzu facility, which became notorious for alleged human rights abuses during the era of SARS.

RULAAC said the transition from SARS to RRS should have represented more than a change of name.

“These allegations, if established, inevitably evoke the ugly memories of the abuses historically associated with the former SARS facility at Awkuzu,” the organisation said.

“The transition from SARS to RRS ought to signify more than a change of name; it should represent a decisive institutional break from arbitrary detention, arrest by proxy, extortion and other practices that brought the former unit into disrepute.”

RULAAC said the alleged conduct, if established, would be inconsistent with safeguards contained in the Nigerian Constitution, the Police Act 2020 and applicable criminal justice legislation.

In its requests to the Commissioner of Police, RULAAC asked the police authorities to establish the circumstances and legal basis for Nwosu’s arrest and four-day detention.

It also demanded an investigation into the alleged ₦600,000 payment, including determining who allegedly demanded or received the money.

The organisation requested that the money be refunded if it was found to have been unlawfully collected.

RULAAC further asked the police to establish the legal basis for the seizure and continued retention of Nwosu’s phone and ensure that any property retained for investigative purposes is properly documented.

It also urged the police to ensure that Nwosu’s scheduled appearance on September 7 would not result in further arbitrary detention, intimidation or unlawful financial demands.

The organisation asked the police to ensure that Nwosu was not held responsible for producing her brother or punished for his alleged conduct without evidence establishing her own involvement in an offence.

It also called for disciplinary or other appropriate action against any police officer found to have acted unlawfully.

The rights organisation stressed that it recognised the responsibility of the police to investigate serious crimes, including murder allegations.

It said its intervention was not intended to obstruct the investigation into Nwosu’s brother.

“Nothing in this intervention is intended to obstruct any lawful investigation,” RULAAC said.

“Our concern is simply that the investigation must be conducted within the bounds of the law and that no citizen should be deprived of liberty or subjected to financial demands merely because the Police are seeking a relative.”

The organisation urged the police command to respond to the complaint and disclose the steps taken to address the allegations.

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has lost her husband, Hafidh Ameir Hassan, who died on Monday while receiving treatment for a heart condition at a hospital in Zanzibar.

Ameir died at 08:00 local time (06:00 GMT) at the Emilio Mzena Memorial Hospital, according to Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi, who announced his death.

Ndejembi said funeral arrangements were already being made in Kizimkazi, a village on Tanzania’s semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar.

The vice-president also expressed condolences to President Hassan, Ameir’s family and friends following his death.

Kenyan President William Ruto joined those mourning Ameir, saying he received news of his death with “deep sorrow”.

“President Samia has lost a lifelong companion, her children a beloved father, and Tanzania a distinguished son,” he wrote on social media.

Ameir, an agricultural academic, largely stayed away from the public spotlight despite being married to Tanzania’s president. He became the country’s first First Gentleman after Hassan assumed office in 2021.

His appearances alongside President Hassan were uncommon, although he occasionally accompanied her at official engagements.

Ameir and Hassan married in 1978, before she began her political career, and had four children together — three sons and a daughter.

Their daughter, Wanu Hafidh Ameir, has also followed a political career and currently serves in Zanzibar’s House of Representatives in the National Assembly.

An 18-year-old landlord, Similoluwa Akande, has been arraigned before an Akungba-Akoko Magistrate’s Court in Ondo State for allegedly setting fire to a tenant’s belongings valued at N898,000.

Akande was docked on a four-count charge bordering on felony following the incident, which reportedly occurred on August 19, 2026, at Okusa in Akungba-Akoko.

According to the police prosecutor, Olasunkanmi Boboye, the defendant allegedly set ablaze property belonging to his tenant, Aseluwa Ezekiel.

The items destroyed included a bed, bed frame, clothes, carpet, gas cylinder, travelling box, shoes, curtains, rods and cash.

The prosecutor told the court that the burnt items were valued at N898,000, while some official documents were also reportedly destroyed in the fire.

Boboye said the alleged offences contravened Section 249(D) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.

He was not represented by legal counsel and informed the court that he had health challenges.

Presiding Magistrate Kolapo Kolawole granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 and adjourned the matter until September 9, 2026, for hearing.