• Demands retraction, apology within 48 hours
By Moses Akaigwe
Ihuoma Julia Nneji, the lady declared wanted on Tuesday by the Nigeria Police Force, through the National Cyber Crime Centre, Abuja (NPF NCCC), has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, demanding a retraction within 48 hours.
Nneji, who is the daughter of a popular transporter, Frank Nneji, also demanded a written apology by the NPF NCCC within same period.
She made the demands through her solicitors, Pillar-Rest Attorneys, who asked the law enforcement agency to direct the removal of the Special Police Gazette Bulletin declaring their client wanted.
The letter by Nneji’s solicitors was entitled: “Report of Unlawful Public Declaration of Ihuoma Julia Nneji ‘Wanted’ by The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre Unit In Breach of Her Fundamental Rights,” and dated 16th April, 2025.
The petition, signed by Oyaje James Oyigoga, was specifically addressed to the IGP, Force Headquarters, Abuja, through the Director, NPF NCCC, Abuja.
According to the solicitors, the declaration constitutes a breach of their client’s fundamental rights, protected by the Nigeria’s constitution. They demanded that the notification of the declaration should be published or transmitted on all platforms and media outlets where it might have been disseminated.
Other demands made by the solicitors in the letter include a written apology to the client for the reputational damage, emotional trauma and unlawful declaration by the police. The letter also added that “a written undertaking that our client’s rights shall no longer be infringed upon.”
According to the letter, failure to comply with the demands by the NPF within the stipulated time, would lead to appropriate legal proceedings to enforce Ihuoma Julia Nneji’s fundamental rights.
“We are aware that the action of the Nigeria Police Force declaring our client wanted without inviting her or availing her an opportunity to be heard and respond to the allegations contained in the petition is a violation of her constitutional rights as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended),” the letter read in part.