Nine years after businessman John Anozie vanished following an alleged abduction by police officers, the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has forwarded the investigation case file to the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi. This action follows a September 2025 court order by Federal High Court Judge Binta Nyako, directing the release of the file to Nnenna Anozie, Mr Anozie's wife. The police failed to comply for nearly ten months, prompting Mrs Anozie's lawyer, Vincent Adodo, to initiate contempt proceedings against former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
At a hearing on 13 July, the court learned the missing file had been located after months of searching. Judge Nyako expressed frustration that the file had not yet been sent to the AGF, even as she considered recusing herself due to her deep involvement in the case. The breakthrough came when the IGP's lawyer, Stanley Nwodo, filed a Notice of Compliance on 22 July, confirming the file's transfer. The documents include the police investigation report, crime diary extracts, witness statements, records of investigation activities, legal advice, and statements from the implicated officers.
The case file was originally sent to the IGP's office in June 2020 under then-IGP Mohammed Adamu. Despite repeated court orders, police authorities withheld the file and failed to produce Mr Anozie, who they claimed died in custody without presenting a body. Mrs Anozie has won multiple court rulings, including a judgment ordering the arrest of two named officers, prosecution, and the payment of N2 million in damages for violation of her right to information. Her legal team says full compliance with all court orders remains pending.
The police released the case file only after contempt proceedings were initiated, nine years after the disappearance. This delay in acting on a court order leaves Mrs Anozie and the public waiting for accountability on both her husband's fate and the officers involved.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Full disclaimer →
