The family of the late Chiamaka Chilaka, a student of the College of http://avenewsonline.com/tag/Anambra-NursingNursing Sciences, Alor, Anambra State, has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to order a fresh investigation into her death, alleging that she may have been murdered.
Chilaka reportedly died on June 14, 2026, at a compound where she lived in Anambra State, under circumstances the family said raised concerns about possible foul play.
Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the family’s legal representative, Euphemia Eleonu, expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the Anambra State Police Command had handled the investigation.
Eleonu particularly questioned the release from detention of a prime suspect, Ogochukwu Ugoeze, despite the family’s understanding that the investigation had not been concluded.
The family also alleged bias and compromise on the part of the investigating police officer, Supol Nwaije Francis of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, and his superior, CSP Ayorinde David, who heads the Homicide Section of the SCID.
The allegations have not been independently verified.
The family further expressed concern that the police had not briefed them on the progress of the investigation since Chilaka’s death.
Consequently, Eleonu called for both officers to recuse themselves from the case and for a fresh investigative team to be constituted.
She said the family had previously written to the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, on July 21, 2026, with the letter acknowledged on July 27, 2026, requesting that Supol Francis be removed from the investigation over alleged bias in favour of the suspect.
“In the interest of justice and to preserve the integrity of the investigation, we respectfully request that the Investigating Police Officer, Supol Francis, based on shown bias and interest in the matter in favour of the suspect, Mr Ogochukwu Ugoeze, should recuse himself and the case be reassigned to another IPO/team,” Eleonu said.
The lawyer also urged the police to brief Chilaka’s immediate family on the status of the investigation, subject to legitimate investigative confidentiality.
She further called on the authorities to preserve all physical, forensic, documentary and electronic evidence connected to the death, in line with proper chain-of-custody procedures.
Eleonu stressed that allegations of criminal responsibility must ultimately be determined by a competent court on the basis of admissible evidence.
“Ultimately, the question whether any person is criminally responsible for Chiamaka’s death should be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction on admissible evidence and in accordance with the Constitution and not by media trial or administrative body,” she said.
She also called for Ugoeze to be rearrested, while stressing that suspects should neither be presumed guilty nor cleared outside the judicial process.
According to the lawyer, the family has been left devastated by Chilaka’s death and is seeking answers about what happened to her.
She said the family wanted to know how Chilaka died, who was responsible and whether every reasonable line of investigation had been pursued.
“For this reason, we respectfully urge the Nigeria Police Force, the Anambra State Government, the relevant prosecutorial authorities and the media to approach this matter with restraint, utmost professionalism and humanity,” Eleonu said.
The lawyer expressed confidence that the Inspector-General of Police would intervene and direct a fresh investigation into the matter.
“We have 99 per cent confidence in the IG to direct that the Police Commissioner of Anambra State Command directs that the IPO recuse himself and disband the entire team investigating this case,” she said.
Chilaka’s elder brother, Ikenna Chilaka, said the family had been devastated by her death and appealed to the IGP to intervene to help them secure justice.
He said, “I call on the Inspector-General of Police to come to our aid, to help us find justice for my sister. All suspects should be re-arrested. Every suspect should be in custody.
“The court is the only one that has the authority to exonerate or release anybody.”
